Welcoming Address by Her Excellency Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Launch of “Thailand : Kitchen to the World” Food Week 27 May 2012, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
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His Excellency the Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a pleasure to be here among people who share at least one thing in common -- a love of Thai cuisine and products!
Thai people are proud of the rich tradition and global popularity of Thai food, which has helped promoted Thai culture and attract tourism. With its exotic taste and unique presentation, Thai cuisine is popular in many cities worldwide. Indeed, I have been informed that in a survey done several years ago, Thai dishes appear to have been in the top five of the most popular dishes served in Australian restaurants. I hope this has remained the same or even better today.
We are also proud that Thailand is a major producer of food for the world. Our annual revenue from food exports is over 20 billion US dollars. In particular, Thailand is one of the world’s largest exporters of rice, with Australia as an important customer. Thailand remains the largest supplier of rice for Australia, with over 110,000 tons exported here each year. Moreover, we are also the fifth largest supplier of all food products to Australia, with exports increasing by about five to ten percent each year.
Thailand’s ability to provide good quality Thai agricultural products at competitive prices can also help address the problem of food security. This is becoming increasingly important as the world faces challenges -- like climate change, natural disasters and market distortions -- that sometimes lead to food shortages or worse.
To play our part in promoting food production and addressing the issue of food security, my Government is implementing the “Kitchen to the World” programme. The objective of this programme is to produce high quality food and agricultural products at competitive prices and which meet international standards of safety. A comprehensive strategy has been planned, covering raw materials, logistics, production, improving value-added and distribution centers.
Let me share with you some of the key elements of our strategy as follows:
First, we will expand the role of agricultural and food businesses.
Second, we will promote the development of value-added agro-industries through highly advanced techniques and marketing systems.
Third, we will encourage regional and international cooperation within and beyond the ASEAN Economic Community, in areas that benefit the food and agro-industry.
And fourth, we will support Thai investments abroad, especially the setting up of Thai restaurants by enhancing overseas networks.
To sum up, Thailand’s great natural assets of land, water and productive farmers on the one hand, and the creativity of Thai cooks and entrepreneurs, on the other, make our food and agricultural industry highly competitive. This “Kitchen to the World” programme will turn these advantages into high quality, safe products that ultimately reach you -- whether at your favorite restaurant, your local supermarket or your home.
We will continue to promote this campaign in many cities around the world but we have picked Australia as the first place to launch this programme overseas, because Australians are so familiar with and enjoy Thai food and agricultural products.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the newly awarded THAI SELECT restaurants for this achievement. I look forward to seeing many more Thai restaurants reach this goal.
Finally, I would like to thank the Shangri-La Hotel for its support in organizing the THAI FOOD WEEK and for bringing Thai chefs from Thailand to cook for everyone here today. May I wish the Shangri-La Hotel much success in their weeklong Thai food promotion. And may I invite all Australians, from Sydney and beyond, to visit the hotel throughout the week to taste authentic Thai dishes at its very best.
Thank you.
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