Remarks
by
H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Kingdom of Thailand
at Thailand Business Day
Europasaal, Federal Foreign Office, Berlin, 7 June 2013

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Guten Morgen,

I would like firstly thank Ambassador Nongnuth Phetcharatana for inviting me to speak this morning. I also thank Mr. Glos for his warm welcoming remarks.

I take great pleasure in coming to Berlin once again after accompanying my Prime Minister here last year. In fact, I have always enjoyed visiting this country which has been our good friend for more than 150 years.  Germany has played a major role in the development of our economy and has always stood by us during difficult times.

Last year was indeed an important year for our relations. We have resumed the exchange of high level visits, with our two Leaders expressing their determination to pursue common growth and prosperity, based on the principles of democracy and the free market economy. Our bilateral trade volume, the level of investment and the number of German tourists going to Thailand continue to increase.

I believe that there are many unexplored opportunities still available. Thailand and Germany can do more together to make our partnership even stronger.

Politically, Thailand is back on track. The current Government has been in charge for nearly two years without any disruption. The political stability and Thailand’s investment-friendly policies will ensure that our strengthened partnership will be able to run smoothly.

Economically, our consumption-support policy and reduction of corporate income tax have allowed the Thai economy to grow at a highly satisfactory rate of 6.4% last year, while still keeping our public debt rate at just above 40% of the GDP.

Furthermore, Thailand is planning to invest some 49 billion Euros into transportation infrastructure and another 9 billion Euros in water management projects. Once completed, your investment in our industrial heartlands will be protected from floods.

Regionally, Thailand is in the driver’s seat in connecting the ASEAN Community and beyond. The longest portion of all three main economic corridors runs through Thailand. The development of Dawei deep sea port in Myanmar will connect the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and on to the Pacific Ocean through Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

We are also developing high speed train links to Laos and China which will allow your products to be distributed in the ASEAN region and beyond much more quickly and effectively.  In ASEAN, you are looking at a region with a production base and market of some 600 million people. With Thailand already starting an FTA negotiation with the EU, access to ASEAN will soon be much easier for German investors.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Two days ago, I discussed with Foreign Minister Westerwelle on how we could expand and further deepen our bilateral ties. Two potential fields of cooperation were highlighted.

The first is in the area of the green economy. We would like to pursue more actively cooperation with Germany in sustainable green technology. Leading the way is our Thai Embassy, together with Team Thailand here, who are already engaging with you in this area with a focus on green energy and construction.

Cooperation with the private sector is also very important. We need to learn not only about its technology, but also the transitional mechanism and how we can raise public awareness.

The second field is education, particularly vocational education. Thailand has long admired, and is keen to emulate, the dual system of Germany. I believe that cooperation in this area will be mutually beneficial in providing our countries with skilled labour. Just last month, Thailand and Germany signed an MOU to establish our partnership in this area. But without the support of the private sector, Dual Excellence partnership cannot work. So I would like to invite German businesses to join the initial three companies to work together with us. We would appreciate your support such as internships for Thai students, both in Thailand and in Germany.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are all aware that Europe is currently going through difficult economic challenges. But within these challenges, there are opportunities. Asia, and especially ASEAN, is now enjoying high growth.  And with Asia and Europe working together, we will become an engine of growth that will successfully propel the world economy out of the current difficulties.

In closing, I find that today’s forum is very important and timely, for as Europe and Germany look towards Asia, they should also look towards Thailand. I hope that after today’s seminar, you will learn that Thailand has a lot more to offer. With our location, stability, policies and shared values, Thailand can be your gateway and hub to this fast ever-growing region.

Vielen Dank, Thank you very much.