Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Aug 28 /Trend D.Azizov/
Uzbek President Islam Karimov has signed a decree on the simplification of visa procedures for Thai citizens, the Uzbektourism press service said on Tuesday.
In addition, the requirement of having to produce tourist vouchers Uzbektourism or other tourism organizations abolished.
It is expected that the decision will increase the flow of tourists, expanding the partnership between the two countries and create a positive image of Uzbekistan, the press service of the national tour said.
Earlier, the Thai government had decided to include Uzbekistan in the list of countries which citizens are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand.
According to the State Statistics Committee, the Uzbek-Thai trade turnover amounted to $70.5 million in 2011, including the Uzbek exports amounted to $61.7 million, import - $8.8 million. Foreign trade figures in 2011 showed a four-fold increase in the balance of trade between the two countries compared to previous years.
There has been a mutual willingness to further strengthen mutually beneficial relations, diversification of cooperation in order to implement the existing profound potential of the Uzbek-Thai partnership during the years of diplomatic relations.
In 2011, the total number of foreign and local tourists visiting Uzbekistan increased by 5.4 per cent to more than a million, including tourism businesses rendered services 463.4 thousand foreign tourists.
By 2015, Uzbekistan plans to ensure a flow of more than two million foreign tourists annually.