According to a recent report, the Turkish and Thai national science and technology institutions on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance their cooperation.
The Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK) and Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) inked the deal in the Thai capital Bangkok during a two-day workshop.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the head of TUBITAK, said that both countries are among the world’s emerging economies. He noted that science, technological development, innovation, and qualified human resources are important in the transitioning of both countries to the next stage.
The deal increased the numbers of countries that TUBITAK cooperates with to 49.
According to a governmental site, Thailand and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1958. Turkey opened its Embassy in the same year and The Thai Embassy in Turkey was opened in 1972.
Although there has not been any Presidential level visit between Turkey and Thailand, the relations between the two countries are advancing through a positive agenda thanks to reciprocal high-level visits and contacts.
The Business Council and Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meetings were convened three and four times respectively since their establishment.
The agreements that constitute the legal basis of our relations are the Trade Agreement (1987), the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (1989), the Agreement on Prevention of Double Taxation (2002) and the Agreement on the Reciprocal Encouragement and Protection of Investments (2005).
In addition, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Turkey and Thailand are expected to start in the near future.
Every year more than 75,000 Turkish citizens visit Thailand and in 2016, 12,500 tourists from Thailand visited Turkey.
Since 1992, Turkey has provided 165 scholarships for Thai students under Türkiye Scholarships at various universities. During the 2016-2017 academic year, 40 students studied under the scholarship.
A total of 880 Thai citizens are registered to be resident in Turkey while around 2.000 Turkish citizens reside in Thailand as of 2016.
According to a press release from the end of last year, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations stated that the Thai-Turkish FTA talks on the outcome of the second round of Thai-Turkish FTA negotiations, which occurred in December 2017, indicate that the negotiations are progressing satisfactorily.
After the two sides exchanged information on trade policy and measures in negotiations. FTA first round in July 2017 in Ankara, Turkey In the second round of talks, the two sides exchanged drafts of trade items. It covers the market.
In addition, related regulations such as customs clearance and trade facilitation. Hygiene and phytosanitary measures Anti-dumping measures Anti-subsidy measures This is the basis for the next negotiating process, scheduled for March 2018 in Ankara, Turkey.
It was noted that Turkey is an important and attractive partner and a big market – consumers have high purchasing power. As a result, the FTA will bring about trade and investment benefits for the two countries.
The two sides aim to increase trade to US$2 billion in 2020 from US$1.3 billion in 2016.
Major exports to Turkey include air conditioners and components, cars, equipment and components, rubber products, refrigerators, freezers and components, semiconductors transistors, diodes, thread and fibre.
Major imports from Turkey include machinery and components, finished glass, glass and jewellery products, plastic products and home appliances.
