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Japan Agrees to Provide Financial Aid to Thailand in Case of Emergency: Minister
Japan has tentatively agreed to provide a financial assistance package, worth 2.5 to 3.0 billion US dollars, to Thailand in case of emergency, Thai Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said Monday.
This was part of a regional financial deal struck at the two-day forum last weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at which the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held talks with Japan, South Korea and China on financial cooperation, Somkid said on Nation TV Channel. During the talks, Japan said it would earmark the assistance package to Thailand in case of emergency, but the two governments will hold further talks before concluding the deal, the minister said.
"If we really need the assistance, I think the deal will be signed in the next ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting next year," he disclosed.
Other ASEAN member states would also receive similar assistance from the three East Asian countries, based on bilateral negotiations and agreements, Somkid said.
ASEAN now comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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