On Friday 8 July 2016, H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anaman, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand presided over the opening ceremony of the Seminar on Africa, organised by the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Ballroom, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Bahar Idris Abu Garda, Federal Minister of Health of the Republic of Sudan, also attended the event to deliver a keynote address on the relations and cooperation between Thailand and the Sudan.

The seminar consisted of three sessions as follows:

 1. The seminar on “Thailand and Africa: Opportunity, Friendship and Cooperation”

This session is aimed to promote greater knowledge and awareness among the Thai public on the relations between Thailand and Africa in various dimensions including the diversity of Africa in terms of economic, social, and political aspects, Thailand’s development assistances to African Countries, Thailand’s participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa, as well as the preparation for travels in Africa.

Distinguished speakers of the first session were (1) H.E. Dr. Charivat Santabutr,
former Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya, Egypt and Germany, (2) Mr. Dumrong Poottan, former Senator, (3) Mrs. Suphatra Srimaitreephithak, Director-General of Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

(4) Representative from Peace Operations Centre, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters and (5) Professor Surichai Wun’Gaeo, Director of the Centre for Peace and Conflicts, Chulalongkorn University (moderator).

2. The seminar on “Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa”

This session provided the opportunity to both public and private sectors to exchange not only in-depth information on trade and investment in Africa, but also profound experiences of doing business in Africa. 

Speakers of the session included (1) Mr. Somdet Susomboon, Deputy Director General, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, (2) Lieutenant Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, (3) Mr. Audsitti Sroithong, Director of Thai Overseas Investment Support Center, Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), (4) Mr. Preecha Treesuwan, Member of Advisory Board, Sim Technology PLC. (5) Chairman of Thailand-Tanzania Business Council, and (6) Mr. Prasom Fangtong, Director of Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (moderator).

3. The seminar on “Trade  and Investment Opportunities in Mozambique”

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently established a new embassy in the Republic of Mozambique, this session was aimed particularly to raise the Thai public’s awareness of trade and investment opportunities in the Republic of Mozambique. The panelist of the last session was composed of many distinguished speakers namely (1) H.E. Mrs. Maria Gustava, Ambassador of the Republic of Mozambique to Thailand with Residence in Jakarta, (2) Mr. Wicharn Sirichai-Ekawat, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mozambique to Thailand, (3) Mr. Audsitti Sroithong, Senior Investment Promotion Officer, Thai Overseas Investment Support Center, Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), (4) Mr. Torsak Chotimongkol, Chairman of Thailand-Mozambique Trade Association, (5) Mrs. Delfina Auxillo Muiocha, Representative of the Ministry of Fisheries of the Republic of Mozambique, (6) Mrs. Paloma Rôla, Representative of Companhia do Buzi Mozambique, and (7) Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Ambassador-Designate of Thailand to the Republic of Mozambique (moderator). Furthermore, Dr. Lourenço Sambo, Director General of the Investment Promotion Centre (CPI) of the Republic of Mozambique also joined the seminar during Q&A session via video conference live from Maputo.

During the last session, the Mozambique representatives from both public and private sectors, presented their comprehensive information on rules and regulations for doing business in Mozambique, as well as highlighted the potential areas of economic cooperation in Mozambique such as fishery, agriculture, gemstone, energy etc. Besides, Mr. Russ Jalichandra took this opportunity to reassure the Thai private sector that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands ready to facilitate and support Thailand’s business presence in Mozambique.

In summary, the seminar with approximately 250 participants from various groups, ranging from university students, businessmen, government officers and individuals, was successfully concluded. The seminar did not only serve as a platform to disseminate information about Africa in all aspects, but also provide an opportunity for the Ministry to conduct our “inclusive diplomacy”, which will steer our current policy towards the need and expectation of the people.