THAILAND is ready to export more rice to the Philippines, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday.

Shinawatra made the offer during her brief official visit to Manila where she held a bilateral meeting with President Benigno Aquino 3rd in Malacañang.

Yingluck hailed the Philippines’ support for Thai investors and willingness to remove some of the restrictions on trade and investments.

She congratulated President Aquino on the success of his anti-corruption policy as she expressed readiness to provide support for Thai investors who wish to invest in the Philippines under Manila’s Public-Private Partnership programs.

Her host said that he and his Thai counterpart agreed to further expand their functional cooperation in key areas such as education, combating of drug trafficking and disaster reduction and management.

“[We] agreed to continue working toward enhancing our countries’ excellent partnership and productive engagement both in the bilateral and multilateral arenas, “ Mr. Aquino said.

He also discussed with Yingluck ways to improve the investment climate in Southeast Asia, mitigation of risks from natural disasters and climate change and security concerns such as those arising from territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Mr. Aquino’s siblings attended Malacañang’s reception for the Thai premier, including actress Kris Aquino, who told the visitor that she would visit Bangkok soon.

Yingluck and her official delegation, on board a government aircraft Airbus 310 of the Thai Royal Air Force, touched down at 9:50 a.m. of Thursday at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City (Metro Manila).

The Thai delegation was welcomed by Philippine government officials led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Commission on Higher Education Secretary Patricia Licuanan, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Linglingay Lacanlale, Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino de la Cruz, among others.

Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Prasas Prasasvinitchai and Ambassador Miguel Perez Rubio, Philippine protocol chief, ascended the Thai aircraft to greet and welcome Yingluck.

After arrival ceremonies, the Thai leader went to Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila to personally offer flowers and respects to Filipino national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

During wreath-laying there, she was received and joined by Licuanan, Rubio, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Alexander Pama, National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Juliet Villegas and Brig. Gen. Ramona Go, aide-de-camp assigned to the Thai leader.