Indonesia has accepted a Thai proposal to join a working group to plan long-term cooperation and solutions in the fishing industry.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the Asian-African Conference in Jakarta.
Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the working group will include Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesian minister of maritime affairs and fisheries, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, deputy prime minister and defence minister, and Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn, deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
Indonesia has loomed large in the Thai fishing industry in recent months after announcing a policy to sink foreign boats illegally trawling in its waters. It also is investigating how hundreds of foreign fishermen became stranded on remote islands after reportedly being used as slaves aboard Thai-owned fishing boats.
Dr Yongyuth said that the Thai government was working ardently to resolve fishing problems locally and internationally and hoped both countries would sign a memorandum of understanding for the formation of the working group soon.
In their talks, Gen Prayut also told the Indonesian president that Thai investors were ready to do businesses in Indonesia and the latter recommended investment in food processing, tourism and energy sectors.