On 20 December 2023, H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, had discussions with the Thai private sector to exchange views on ways to cooperate and jointly promote investment towards the advancement of the Thai economy.

In the morning, the Deputy Prime Minister greeted and discussed with Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), who led a delegation of FTI executives and officers to call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Thanarat Chongsuttanamanee, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also attended the meeting.

Both sides exchanged views on challenges for Thailand’s industry sector, such as geopolitics, national competitiveness, and ways to collaborate in driving the Thai economy forward. The Deputy Prime Minister said that the private sector should lead, while the government would support, and at the same time, businesses should adapt and develop to respond to current global issues, including technology, environment, and sustainability.

During the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized on 3 important dimensions of the foreign policy, namely, economy, security, and technology, which would lead to the resolution of social disparity and enhance people’s living standards in Thailand. He underscored the Ministry’s readiness to cooperate closely with the business sector, and said that this was the policy he highlighted to Thai Ambassadors and Consul-Generals around the world during a meeting in November.

Afterwards, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed and discussed with Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO), on attracting investments to the EEC. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mrs. Salinee Phonprapai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, also attended the meeting.

Both sides discussed and exchanged views on investment promotion in the EEC area and the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in promoting the EEC’s progress and potential to build confidence of foreign investors. The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised the government’s commitments to ease of doing business, which is the government’s important policy and a crucial factor in building an attractive investment environment.