On 29 September 2020, Mr. Sasiwat Wongsinsawat, Director-General of Department of European Affairs, hosted a working lunch with the Ambassadors of Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, France and the European Union (EU) at the Sukosol Hotel Bangkok. The working lunch was also attended by Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Ms. Nongnuth Phetcharatana , Special Advisors of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), along with Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid , Director-General of Department of International Economic Affairs.

Both sides exchanged views on challenges and future directions of EEC, especially in the Post-COVID-19. The Special Advisors of EEC informed that EEC placed high importance on investment in sectors related to health and food security. The European Ambassadors shared their views on the role of EEC in relations to Asia-Europe connectivity, the EEC’s investment incentives packages, as well as the necessary steps to transform Thailand to become knowledge-based economy, in line with the government’s vision of Thailand 4.0.

In addition, several others issues were discussed such as the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiation and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)