Thai Visa Processing Getting Easier, Quicker: Envoy

Outgoing Thai Ambassador Arunrung Phothong Humphreys has said that it will be simpler and faster for Bangladeshi businessmen and other individuals to process Thai visas.

She has also apprised that a large Thai corporation is interested in a sugar refinery project joint venture in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, Dhaka and Bangkok will work together to invest in medical, tourism, eco-tourism, and agro-based industries, reports UNB.

Humphreys expressed this recently at the virtual farewell program organised by the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce Industry (BTCCI) in her honour, BTCCI said on Sunday.

She informed that Bangladesh and Thailand entered into a three-year development plan in Bangkok under the MOFA.

Under the direction of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, this initiative will see human capital growth, human protection, sustainable development of Bangladesh, the transfer of technology to Bangladesh in the eco-tourism sector in many beautiful natural places, food and fruit processing.

Some Thai companies, such as CP Bangladesh, Siam City Cement, Ital-Thai Company, among others, contribute to the growth of the Bangladesh economy.

Thailand also works with the Bangladesh government trying to fight Covid-19, said the BTCCI.

The outgoing ambassador said that there is a breakthrough in the relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand that helps People to People (P2P) directly and indirectly by improving visa processing that only takes three days as two outsourcing companies-VFS and Simon Company properly scrutinize documents to get proper documentation for visa application.

BTCCI President M Shahjahan Khan said that Bangladesh is sincerely grateful to the envoy for her sincere appreciation and understanding of the business potential of the two countries and the active role of BTCCI in improving the bilateral relationship. The business community in Bangladesh is keen on doing business with Thailand.

BTCCI is hopeful that BTCCI might arrange trade-related events with the help of the embassy to highlight the goods of both countries, but all activities have been stopped because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

Bangladesh has had a historic relationship with Thailand in the field of trade, tourism , health tourism, Asif Ibrahim, CSE Chariman, BTCCI Director and former DCCI President, said.

"Thailand can be tourism partner in our country," he said, suggesting globally reputed Thai hospitality companies can invest in Bangladesh.

He hoped that her association with Bangladesh, particularly BTCCI, which always tries to promote better bilateral and interpersonal ties between two friendly countries, will be remembered fondly by the outgoing envoy.

BTCCI Vice President Md Munir Hossain said that we could add sectors such as RMG, pharmaceuticals, tourism, frozen foods, fisheries, infrastructure , education & training to work for the joint venture, in addition to existing sectors such as jute and jute products, leather, agro, and light engineering.

Former BTCCI and DCCI president MA Momen, former DCCI president and Chairman of Uttara Group Matiur Rahman, Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka Kaichok Arunpairojkul, BTCCI directors, members and secretary were present at the virtual farewell.