The Royal Thai Embassy and the Team Thailand in Moscow, in cooperation with the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand organized a working visit of the leading Thai businessmen to the Russian Federation from 4 - 9 December 2013. The visit aims at further strengthening and intensifying the Thai - Russian bilateral economic cooperation on commerce, investment and tourism.

             The delegation was led by Mr. Payungsak Chartsutipol, Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking and Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries with the high ranking representatives of Thai business community in the fields of agriculture, autoparts, gems and jewelry, energy and renewable energy and construction materials industry.

            At the courtesy call upon H.E. Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation and the dinner hosted in honour of the delegation on December 4, 2013, the Royal Thai Embassy and the Team Thailand in Moscow jointly informed the delegation of necessary information and useful recommendations which are in line with the Embassy’s objectives to promote Thai economic interests in Russia and greater business ties, in particular, between the Thai and Russian private sectors.

            During the visit, the Embassy also made arrangement for the delegation to meet with the executives of the Russian Ministries of Economic Development, as well as of Industry and Trade. H.E. the Thai Ambassador also delivered an Opening Remarks at the Joint Meeting between the Thai - Russian and Russian - Thai Business Councils. The Meeting was fruitfully concluded with a concrete result on the signing of the “JOINT PLAN OF ACTIONS of the Thai - Russian Business Council and the Russian - Thai Business Council for 2014 - 2015”.

            On the same occasion, the Embassy actively supported the Department of International Economic Affairs to hold the meetings between the delegation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, as well as the St. Petersburgh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, respectively. The closer collaboration in economics, trade, investment and business networking between the Thai private sector and the two Chambers of Commerce and Industry were discussed and encouraged.

               Moreover, a business briefing also took place with the main topics on the opportunities of trade and investment in the Republic of Tatarstan, a federal subject of Russia which has earned international recognition by its friendly foreign investment atmosphere, along with the session of experience sharing on doing business in Russia by Thai investors.

                Last by not least, besides the business matching session organized by the Office of Commercial Affairs of Thailand in Moscow, the delegation benefited from the site visits of some Russian important business and industries, of which the programme was exclusively arranged to match with each delegate’s field of business.

                The said activities include the meeting with the CEO of TSUM Department Store, a Russian nationwide leading retails department store, by which the delegation learnt about the market access to Russia, the study of a Russian innovation through the visit of the Aviator watch making company and the meeting between the Thai and Russian businessmen to discuss on solar cells technology and the potentials for further business cooperation to invest in the production of solar cells. The meeting of the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand and the Chairman of the Board of Director of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand with the executives of the Russian Railways Authority was also held.