On 26 - 29 June 2018, H.E. Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, visited the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of the People’s Republic of China to attend the 2018 Belt and Road Summit and meet with executives of leading companies and academic institutions in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to discuss investment opportunities in Thailand and potential areas of cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by H.E. Mr. Virasakdi Futrakul, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Somchai Harnhirun, Deputy Minister of Industry, and Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary General of Board of Investment of Thailand. 

          At the invitation of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), on 28 June 2018, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid delivered his keynote speech at the 2018 Belt and Road Summit under the theme, “Collaborate for Success.” The event was officiated by the Honourable Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, and high-level officials from the People’s Republic of China. It was attended by over 5,000 government officials, businessmen and investors from more than 50 countries and regions.

          In his keynote speech, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the importance of the linkage between Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) with the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Pan - Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). He also expressed appreciation to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR for deciding to establish the Hong Kong and Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Thailand, and stated that Thailand looks forward to welcoming the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR and her delegation to Thailand early next year. 

          During this visit, the Deputy Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the Honourable Mrs. Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Honourable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR. The two sides followed up on issues from the recent meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in Bangkok on 14 May 2018. In particular, they discussed the progress made in preparation for the setting up of HKETO in Thailand. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Thailand looked forward to welcoming the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR to Thailand to inaugurate the HKETO in Bangkok early next year. In this regard, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR asked the HKTDC to arrange a business delegation to join her for this occasion. The two sides also discussed cooperation on the automated immigration clearance service (autogate), with the Deputy Prime Minister informing the Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR that Thailand will be able to welcome Hong Kong visitors using the autogate on 15 September 2018. 

          In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister met senior executives of private sectors and institutions in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. In Hong Kong, he met and discussed with Ho & Partners Architects (hpa), Lan Kwai Fong Group, Li & Fung Group, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Hong Kong Cyberport Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In Shenzhen, he met executives of Foxconn Technology Limited, Beijing Genomics Institute, and UBTECH. During these meetings, cooperation between Thailand and these companies and academic institutions was discussed. He also invited them to explore investment opportunities in the EEC. 

          During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister witnessed the signing and conclusion of six memoranda of understanding between private sectors of Thailand and Hong Kong concerning investment cooperation in the EEC and cooperation under the BRI.