On 18 - 20 June 2022, H.E. Mr. Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by government officials and representatives from the private sector, paid a working visit to Thailand as Guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to promote bilateral and economic relations.

On 20 June 2022, the Assistant Minister paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. The Assistant Minister also participated in a meeting hosted by H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss bilateral relations with relevant Thai authorities concerned on various issues such as trade and investment, particularly in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), renewable energy, education, and sustainable development as well as strengthening the relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). After the bilateral meeting, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted a luncheon in honour of the Assistant Minister and delegates of both sides.

The Assistant Minister also met with high-level Thai representatives from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the Ministry of Commerce to discuss ways and means to promote cooperation. On the same day, the United Arab Emirates business delegates had parallel discussion with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade of Thailand, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, and the Department of Fisheries to explore investment opportunities and further enhance bilateral cooperation.

This visit reflects the cordial ties between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates and was a great opportunity to strengthen economic partnership between the two countries in the post COVID-19 era. Currently, the United Arab Emirates is the biggest trading partner of Thailand in the Middle East and ranked 16th among Thailand’s global trade partners.