On 6 August 2013, the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in association with the Federation of Thai Industries and the Board of Trade of Thailand organized “Ambassador’s Talks: Opportunities for Thai Trades and Investments in Middle East” at the Grand Millennium Hotel Sukhumvit, Bangkok. The Talks was conducted by Ambassadors, Charge d’Affaires and Consul-General of Thailand to six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely Mr. Panyarak Poolthup, Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Mr. Surasak Chuasukonthip, Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Mr. Vichai Varasirikul, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Pornchai Danvivathana, Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Mr. Wijak Chittarat, Charge d’Affaires to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Thosaporn Moonlasartsathorn, Consul-General to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Talks was moderated by Mr. Chairat Thomya.

Mr. Jullapong Nonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, opened the Talks by stating that it was the Prime Minister’s policy to support the Thai private sector in search for new markets, and the Middle East was one of the primary targets. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist and facilitate the private sector, as well as to provide advice on trade regulations. The Ministry recently established “ThaiBiz.net” website which provides information on markets and trade regulations of foreign countries. The Vice Minister mentioned that the GCC countries were rich countries with fast economic growth, had excellent relationships with Thailand, and were fascinated by Thai products. Therefore, the Talks would be beneficial for the Thai private sector’s  future trade and investment in the Middle East.

The panel provided initial information of the GCC countries, particularly by pointing out opportunities for Thai traders and investors. Despite having large profits from oil, these countries had  limited agricultural resources. Food security was therefore one of the most potential areas for investment. Furthermore, Bahrain and the UAE aimed to be a regional centre for investment, they introduced a number of incentives, such as tax reduction and trade protection reduction measures. The panel also indicated that the GCC countries mostly had positive attitude towards Thailand and Thai people through excellent relationships at various levels, the quality of Thai products and labour. However, the panel mentioned that most of the GCC countries had a policy which sets proportion for local labour in businesses. There was also a requirement for foreign traders and investors to have a “sponsor” or local partner in business establishment. These presented significant limitation and obstruction for the Thai private sector. Reliable sponsor and personal relationship with counterparts were what Thai traders and investors needed to have when doing business in the GCC countries. At the end of the session, Mr. Jakr Boon-Long, Ambassador to the State of Israel, and Mr. Piriya Khempon, Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, joined the Talks and provided information on opportunities in those countries including the nearby countries

Mr. Wisit Limprana, Deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of Thai Industries, and Mr. Mingphan Chayavichitsilp, Co-Chairman of the Committee on South Asia, Middle East, and Africa, Board of Trade of Thailand, gave closing remarks by stating that the GCC countries were not new markets. They had high purchasing power and were currently focusing on the Southeast Asian region. They were of the view that the Talks which was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federation of Thai Industries and Board of Trade of Thailand was the type of joint activity which should be supported, and it could be a model for future public-private sector cooperation. They also mentioned that various business associations were another channel for the Thai private sector to start trade or investment in foreign countries.