Kuwait-Thailand trade shows 80 percent increase

The volume of commercial exchanges between Kuwait and Thailand amounted to 19.2 million in the first three months of 1997, the head of the Thai embassy's commercial section said.

The volume of trade exchanges between the Asian country and the Gulf state reached some 256 million US dollars in 1996, a rise of 80 percent compared to 1995.

This was caused by an increase in Kuwaiti exports, which reached 171.6 million, to Thailand last year, the Thai diplomat said.

Clothing, textiles and shoes constituted the bulk of Thailand’s export last year, equivalent to 42.4 percent of the total amount of the exported products, followed by air-conditioning equipment at 9.1 percent, food at 5.5 percent, and electrical appliances at 3.6 percent.

Thailand was planning to organize an exhibition of products in the Gulf country.

Bangkok's first fair in Kuwait in 1995 involved more than 20 Thai companies that promoted clothes, food, spare parts of cars and electric appliances.

Nationals from all Gulf states can pay a month-long visit to Thailand without a visa, he added.

Kuwait is Thailand’s third gulf partner after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.