Issue 63

The new Argentina ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mrs. María Alicia Cuzzoni de Sonschein held a meeting with Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn at the Commerce Ministry office on February 17.

“We invite Argentinian enterprises to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area because Thailand offers better investment incentives and they can use it as the business hub linking to the CLMV countries where they can buy raw materials and expand their market,” Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said. “Argentina wants to expand its businesses to Thailand especially beef exports. The ambassador has also invited Thai investors to invest in mining and renewable energy sectors in Argentina.”

Thailand’s ECC Development project is aimed at developing Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard into a leading economic zone within ASEAN. It covers three eastern provinces, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao. The project will promote 10 target industries such as next-generation automotives, smart electronics, affluent medical and wellness tourism, agriculture and biotechnology, and food for the future.

Issue 63

The DITP invited purchasing executives from AEON Hong Kong for a scouting trip to Bangkok on February 9.

“AEON wants to source new quality Thai food products for distribution through its stores in Hong Kong. Selected products will be introduced at the AEON Thailand Food Fair 2017, held at 24 branches of AEON in Hong Kong from May 11 to 24,” said DITP Director-General Malee Choklumlerd.

Fifty-eight Thai food companies participated in this business matching activity. Thai products of most interest included ice cream, dried fruits, ready-to-eat food, snacks made of beans and rice and coconut products.

Issue 63

The DITP hosted a business trip to Myanmar for Thai event organisers from February 27 to March 1 to seek out business opportunities and partners.

“Thai event organisers have high potential and are widely accepted in this region,” DITP Director-General Malee Choklumlerd said. “With its fast growing economy, Myanmar is an interesting market for event organising business.

“Thai event organisers have advantages over others in terms of location proximity resulting in easy transportation and lower costs. Moreover, Myanmar people have a positive attitude towards Thais and Thai products.”

Issue 63

Revenue generated from the 59th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJF 59) held by the DITP in February is predicted to exceed those of the preceding year.

“The DITP expects that the value of sales generated at the event will be over US$487 million (17 billion baht) while the event in September 2016 generated total sales of US$475 million (16.69 billion baht,” Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.

DITP General-Director Malee Choklumlerd added that the event was proving increasingly popular with overseas exhibitors. “The number of foreign exhibitors was 18% higher than the previous fair. It also attracted more than 23,000 visitors from around the world.”

Thailand is the world 10th largest gems and jewelry producer and exporter. It generated US$6.97 billion (243.9 billion baht) worth of gems and jewelry exports excluding gold from January to December 2016.

The Commerce Minister said shipments of Thai gems and jewelry excluding gold are forecast to rise 5% this year to US$7.32 billion (256.6 billion baht).

About 730 companies from countries around the world participated at the fair (occupying over 2,000 booths), which was held at Challenger Halls, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok from February 22 to 26.

Issue 63

The Ministry of Commerce and ASEAN networking platform C asean launched Deepening CLMV: Urbanization Project on February 17 to help Thai entrepreneurs explore business opportunities in potential cities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

“Cambodia’s Siem Reap, Myanmar’s Mandalay, Laos’s Champasak and Vietnam’s Hai Phong are the target destinations for Thai investors, especially for the construction sector,” vice-minister for Commerce, Winichai Chaemchaeng said. “The MoC and C asean have organised this project to create business networking between Thai enterprises and representatives from public and private sectors in the CLMV countries.

“We will host several business trips to these cities to allow Thai entrepreneurs to experience the real markets and seek potential partners,” he added.

For more information about this project, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call +662-785-9093.

Issue 63

Thailand is targetting export growth of 5% this year, deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said after the meeting with the Thai commercial attaches at the Commerce Ministry on February 20.

“This is driven by the economic recovery of our key trade partners and the higher price of agricultural products,” Jatusripitak added.

He also announced target export growth for particular markets – a 3.2% increase to the US, 3% to EU countries, 4% to China and Japan, 5% to ASEAN countries, 2% to the Middle East region, and 2.5% to Africa.