BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, Feb 24 (Bernama): Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to step up cooperation to combat the rise of call centre scams in the two countries.
Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and acting government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said Thailand and Cambodia agreed to set up a joint task force to coordinate and tackle call centre scams efficiently.
The call centre scams were among issues discussed during the meeting between Prime Minister Prayut Chan O-Cha and visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn at the Government House recently.
During the meeting, Anucha said Prayut and Prak Sokhonn agreed to strengthen cooperation to achieve bilateral trade of US$15 billion by 2025.
Statistics showed trade between Thailand and Cambodia grew almost 23 per cent and stood at US$ 9.8 billion in 2021.
Thailand and Cambodia also have agreed on humanitarian demining in remaining areas along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
The soft opening of the Thailand-Cambodia Friendship Bridge at Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province of Thailand and Poipet city in Banteay Meancheay province of Cambodia is an important milestone of connectivity for the two countries.
Prak on Friday concluded his two-day official visit to Thailand.
The Cambodian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Sokhonn and his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai "attached great importance to the joint endeavors to realize the bilateral trade target of US$15 billion by 2025."
The two presided over the soft opening of the Cambodia-Thailand Friendship Bridge (Stung Bot-Ban Nong lan), which would contribute to intensified flow of cross-border trade and investment as well as improved connectivity and well-being among the two peoples, it added.
On tourism, both sides agreed to further enhance collaboration under the slogan "Two Kingdoms, One Destination." On security and defense, they attached significance to the peaceful settlement of the border disputes with a view to jointly building a boundary of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
As Cambodia and Thailand are steadfast in realizing the goal of mine-free land by 2025 and 2026 respectively, both sides underlined the importance of early conclusion of demining operations along the perimeter, as instructed by the two countries' top leaders, the statement said.
During the visit, Sokhonn also paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the statement said.
