In a meeting with a delegation of leading Australian business people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23 May 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave assurances that Thailand was set on the path of socio-economic progress, and encouraged Australian businesses to invest in alternative energy, creative economy, and construction.
Thailand requires more investment in biotechnology, particularly since Thailand had gained a degree of expertise in various areas of alternative and renewable energy, the Foreign Minister told the business delegation. Thailand is also actively converting molasses, tapioca, cassava, and palm oil into various forms of alternative energy.
Thailand’s progress in development means that Thailand was also actively promoting a creative economy and required further investment in construction. The Foreign Minister also asked the Australian business delegation to consider uses for Don Muang Airport, which could potentially be used for logistics. Another area in which Thailand possesses potential is in the area of medical care, whereby Thailand has promoted medical tourism as well as production of equipment for hospital use.
Thailand’s socio-economic progress comes amid a stronger civil society, which demands high standards in environmental rules from firms investing in the country. This is also a result of the government’s policy of promoting people-centred development in Thailand’s socio-economic progress, which covers free education, income guarantee schemes, and social insurance schemes, among others.
The Foreign Minister urged the Australian business delegation to consider Thailand as both an individual country and a part of ASEAN. This is important since ASEAN has now signed free trade agreements with important economies such as India, China and Australia.
The visit of the Australian business delegation is part of a project to encourage movement of production bases from Australia to Thailand. They will be in Thailand between 22-27 May 2011 to attend the Thaifex 2011 business exhibition.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th