1. Thai Tourism Promotion

During 20-21 January 2009, the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand hosted a meeting with major tour operators and airlines in Egypt at the Marriott Hotel in Cairo. The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Noppadon Theppitak, aims to promote and restore confidence in Thailands tourism sector among Egyptian tourism business community. The meeting concluded with several activities to further promote Egyptian tourists to visit Thailand including a Familiarization Trip for tour operators. A separate meeting was held with Captain Sherif Galal, Chairman of Egypt Air who confirms that Egypt Air will operate 4 direct flights between Cairo and Bangkok per week while the other 3 remaining flights will fly beyond Thailand to other destinations.

2. Participation in the AMED Senior Experts Meeting on the Global Financial Crisis

As the Chairman of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED), the Royal Thai Embassy and  two experts from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand participated in the AMED Senior Experts Meeting on the Global Financial Crisis, which was held during 15-16 February 2009 in Cairo. Acting in the capacity as the chairman of the meeting session, Mr. Pisit Puapan, Director of Macroeconomic Stability Analysis of the Thai Ministry of Finances Fiscal Policy Office, has assured all senior officials from 50 Asian and Middle Eastern countries that the fundamentals of the Thai economy remains strong despite the crisis in the global financial markets. Director Pisit stressed that the Thai economy retain its strengths from expansionary fiscal policy which the Thai government is actively undertaken to stimulate the economy.

3. Participation in the Cairo International Trade Fair

The annual Cairo International Fair is one of the most prominent trade exhibitions in Northern Africa. With the support from the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo, and the Department of Export Promotion, Thai businessmen have participated in this event every year since 2004. Despite the global economic slowdown, the Egyptian market retains its high potential to serve as a big export market for Thai products due to its location as the gateway to both African and Middle Eastern markets. Under the coordination of the Royal Thai Embassy and the Thai Commercial Office in Cairo, this years event during 18-27 March will feature products from 15-20 Thai companies, and is expected to help further expand trade volume between Thailand and Egypt in 2009, absorbing the slowdown in other regional markets.