Thai Minister of Industry Pinij Jarusombat expressed hope here on Monday for increased cooperation and investment between his country and southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Thailand has a strong will to invest in mineral development and frozen businesses in China, said Jarusombat, who leads a delegation of more than 100 Thai business people to attend the

ongoing China Kunming import/export commodity fair in the capital city of the province.

To date, there are more than 100 Thai-funded projects in Yunnan, which are engaged in seeds breeding, plant research and floral growth, he said, adding that business people from Yunnan Province mainly invest in sightseeing, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco development in Thailand.

There are huge complementary advantages for trading between Thailand and Yunnan, he said, citing that pear and apple which are abundant in Yunnan are not available in Thailand, and Thailand's durian could make up for its absence in Yunnan.

The development of rich phosphorite, biological and herbal resources in Yunnan are very attractive for Thai investors, he added.