His Royal Highness Prince Philippe, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Belgium, together with Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium, will pay a royal visit to Thailand from 17 to 22 March 2013, as Private Guests of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.  
          Their Royal Highnesses will be accompanied by Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium and other high ranking officials from the Belgian government.  As Chairman of the Belgian Foreign Trade Board, His Royal Highness will lead a business delegation of about 170 top executives from 105 leading companies in various sectors such as alternative energy, pharmaceuticals, food and agro-industry, and logistics.  
           During the royal visit to Thailand, Their Royal Highnesses will attend a range of important functions.  His Majesty the King will grant an audience to the Royal Couple on22 March 2013.  His Royal Highness Prince Philippe is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and many key economic ministers to discuss how to further enhance trade and investment partnership between the two nations. The Prime Minister of Thailand will host an official dinner in honour of Their Royal Highnesses at the Government House on 18 March 2013. 
           Apart from the official program, His Royal Highness will also visit the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province, which houses many Belgian companies and plants, and visit the aquaculture industry in Phetchaburi Province. 
          Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde will carry out several activities to promote the role of women in society and business. Her Royal Highness will also meet Thai leading businesswomen and representatives of international organizations.
          Thailand and Belgium have enjoyed long and friendly relations.  Belgium is Thailand’s important trade and investment partner from EU.  As Prime Minister Yingluck just made an official visit to Belgium on 5-6 March 2013, the trade mission led by Their Royal Highnesses is thus momentous in reinforcing the cooperation earlier discussed and further increasing business opportunities between the two kingdoms. 

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