TradeWinds

Issue 62

Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn attended the World Economic Forum 2017, held at Davos, Switzerland from January 17 to 20.

“I met with executives from international firms and invited them to invest in Thailand as the country is attempting to foster new industries,” Tantraporn said of the forum.

Tantraporn held discussions with Grow Asia executive director Grahame Dixie about possible cooperation on improving Thailand’s agricultural sector and developing innovative agricultural products.

 

Issue 62

Thirteen buyers from Kish Free Zone in Iran met with more than 60 Thai manufacturers at Centara Grand, Central Plaza, Ladprao, Bangkok on January 19 as part of business matching activities hosted by the DITP.

“Iranian buyers have bought Thai products for distribution in their country during Nowruz, the Iranian New Year festival, in late March,” said Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn, adding that deals totalling US$13 million were penned at the meeting.

Thai products of most interest included gems and jewelry, children’s clothes, handicrafts, home decorations, wooden furniture, plastic kitchenware and canned fruit.

 

Issue 62

The Ministry of Commerce has appointed Trade Representatives for Russia and Kazakhstan to help boost exports and investment in the two nations, DITP director general Malee Choklumlerd said on December 29, 2016.

Ivan Nadein, the Trade Representative for the Russian city of Vladivostok, is an experienced business person with expertise in logistics, while Aigul Sultanova, an expert in business matching and event organising is responsible for the Kazakhstan market.

For more information about business opportunities in Vladivostok and Kazakhstan, please send an email to the DITP’s Moscow office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Ivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sultanova at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Issue 62

Hong Kong chain 759 Store has imported an initial shipment of Thai Hom Mali and other Thai rice totalling 136 tonnes from Siam Diamond Export Thailand, DITP Hong Kong office executive director Wittayakorn Maneenetr confirmed on January 12.

“This is a part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Hong Kong superstore and Siam Diamond, which was signed in November 2016,” said Maneenetr. “Under the MoU, the 759 Store will import 10,000 tonnes of rice from Siam Diamond.”

 

Issue 62

Australia’s ban on imports of uncooked prawns will not affect Thai exporters as most exports to the antipodean nation are of cooked or processed prawns, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said on January 13.

DITP’s office in Sydney reported that Australia has announced the suspension of imports of uncooked prawn, uncooked prawn meat and uncooked prawn meat marinated for six months, as from January 9.

“The Ministry will closely monitor this situation. Although Australia is not the biggest market for Thai prawn exports, it is a high-value market with strict quality standards. The ability to export products to this market will boost confidence of Thai prawn exports to the global market,” Tantraporn said.

Thailand exported processed prawns worth US$31 million to Australia in the first 11 months of 2016, up 15% on the previous year. Australia is the fifth largest market for Thai prawns after the US, Japan, Vietnam and Canada.

 

Issue 62

Costco-Mexico has imported 112 tonnes of Thai rice for distribution through its 32 branches in 18 states across Mexico since mid-January.

“Mexico will be the base for distributing Thai rice to other countries in Central America, especially Panama and Cuba that are potential markets,” DITP director general Malee Choklumlerd said on January 12.

In 2015, Thailand exported 16,167 tonnes of rice worth US$6.6 million. The Thai Trade Centre in Mexico has invited rice importers from Mexico, Panama and Cuba to visit THAIFEX – World of Food Asia in Thailand, which will take place from May 31 to June 4 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

 

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