During 13-14 November 2023 on the sideline of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2023 in San Francisco, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister and Board of Investment of Thailand co-organised series of activities for Thai private sector. Sixteen Thai companies participated.

On 13 November 2023, Thai private sector visited leading US tech companies, namely Meta and Microsoft as well as those in the US startup ecosystem including Airbnb, and Byers Center for Biodesign at Stanford University. Executives of the Thai private sector also had a meeting with the Prime Minister where information and insights were shared, obstacles and possible solutions were discussed to ensure growing bilateral trade and investment. The Prime Minister stressed on having clear policy direction, expediting FTA negotiation, enhancing ease of doing business focusing on what can be realized first and active economic diplomacy to project the readiness of Thailand to welcome investors. Networking reception in the evening was another opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs to expand their networks with potential US partners who are eyeing Thailand. 

On 14 November 2023, representatives from the Thai business community embarked on the second and last day of company visits organised on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week. The Thai delegation visited headquarters and offices of leading tech corporations, namely NVIDIA and HP, as well as startups like Chronus Health, developer of a portable rapid blood diagnosis platform, and Eat Just, producer of plant-based egg substitutes.

The activities provided a prime opportunity for Thai businesses to network and identify areas of synergy with US companies with strong interest for partnerships with Thai public and private sectors. These include NVIDIA, which envisions the application of AI by Thai government and private sector to drive resilient development; Eat Just, which is mulling investment opportunities in Thailand in addition to sourcing mung beans from Thai farmers; as well as HP, which has positioned Thailand as one of its New Resilient Hubs. Activities from both days provide opportunities to lay groundwork for future Thai-US business collaborations that will bring about tangible benefits for the Thai economy.