Thailand and Japan will today sign an agreement to cooperate in the promotion of the Kingdom as a hub of medical and healthcare service in Asia.
Piramol Charoenpao, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said the two countries (Friday) would sign a memorandum of understanding on "Cooperative Research and Development on Regenerative and Cell-related Medical Technologies and the Optimisation of Manufacturing Infrastructure" at the Commerce Ministry in Nonthaburi.
The MoU resulted from discussions by Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom in March with Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Foundation for Kobe International Medical Alliance on tightening cooperation in the medical industry and development of healthcare services.
Under the agreement, Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation will provide financial support worth 471 million yen (Bt175 million) for the purchase of a cell-culturing machine for Chulalongkorn Hospital. Kawasaki Heavy Industries will also sign an agreement with Chulalongkorn University and Srinakharinwirot University on strengthening cooperation in the medical-care industry.
Piramol said the MoU would combine Japanese high technology with Thailand's high efficiency in the healthcare field to make the Kingdom a medical hub. The seamless Asean market will also draw many foreigners to use Thailand's health services, which will create income for the country.
Source: The Nation November 23, 2012
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