Thailand has signed a deal with China that will see the two countries work together to develop information and communications technology (ICT), following the signing of similar agreements with India, Japan and South Korea.

The pact was announced Thursday by Thai ICT Minister, Surapong Suebwonglee, who said that the deal would pave the way for the mutual exchange of experience for the development of the ICT sector, with Thailand hoping firstly to learn from China's success in boosting the efficiency of State enterprises through the use of telecommunications technology.

The agreement looked at the development of telecommunications networks in the Greater Mekong Region comprising China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, with tentative agreements for the establishment of regional broadband internet networks, he said.

The proposal would be discussed in more details by senior officials from the region who are scheduled to meet in China next month, Surapong said.

He said that the two countries had agreed to work together to develop ICT personnel and electronic commerce (e-commerce), as well as other ICT-related activities.

Both countries expressed recognition of the importance of research and development in the ICT sector, and pledged close cooperation between them.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2004)