Thailand Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs lead a high level business delegation to road shows in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile during 27 October — 7 November 2009
On 27 October — 7 November 2009, Dr. Vachara Phanchet, Thailand Trade Representative (TTR), and Mr. Panich Vikitsreth, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a high level business delegation to road shows in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. The road shows were aimed to build confidence for Thailand, promote bilateral relations as well as create trade and investment opportunities between Thailand and Latin America. During the visit, the Thai delegation held bilateral meetings with high level representatives of the Governments of Brazil, Argentina and Chile, to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in various areas of mutual interests.
Thailand and Brazil step up economic and alternative energy cooperation
During the visit to Brazil, Vice Minister Panich met with Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patroita, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs. Both sides expressed strong determination to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas. Suitably served as gateways into their regions, both Thailand and Brazil possess great potential and should further explore the deepening of their mutual trade and investment. Thailand is interested to receive technology and knowledge transfer production of bio-diesel from Brazil while Brazil wishes to learn from Thailand on tourism management. In addition to alternative energy, other areas of cooperation discussed include sports and promoting the role of developing countries in the international arena..
During his talk with Mr. Welber Barral, Secretary of Foreign Trade, Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil, TTR Vachara mentioned the regional economic developments and expressed interests to further expand bilateral economic ties, particularly in the area of energy, automotive, and electronic industries as well as agriculture and tourism. Both sides recognized the role of the media in promoting tourism and encourage the visits and networking among technicians and researchers.
Thailand signs MOU on Partnership Program for Joint Cooperation with Argentina
During the visit to Argentina, the Thai side held talks with Mr. Jorge Enrique Taiana, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Argentine Republic. Both sides expressed interests to further expand bilateral economic ties, particularly in the area of trade and investment expansion in potential sectors. Both sides also expressed strong determination to move forward relations and cooperation, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in particular through the ASEAN — MERCOSUR framework. Later, TTR Vachara and Vice Minister Panich witnessed the signing of the MOU on Partnership Program for Joint Cooperation between the two countries.
Additionally, TTR Vachara met with Mr. Eduardo Bianchi, Argentinean Secretary of Industry, Commerce and SMEs, exchanging views on further cooperation in the field of production, trade, and services. They viewed that both countries share similarities and could complement each other in the area of livestock, SMEs, and agriculture. TTR Vachara took the opportunity to invite Secretary Bianchi to visit Thailand.
Vice Minister Panich had his meeting with Ambassador Victorio Jose Taccetti, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, Noting the steadily strengthened bilateral relations over the past years, both sides expressed their full commitment and utmost will to further deepen and expand bilateral ties and cooperation in all areas. They also encouraged frequent exchanges of high level visits as well as high level political dialogues on a regular basis as mechanisms to ensure the continuity of relations and cooperation. Later, Vice Minister Panich delivered a special lecture on “Closer Links during 54 years of Diplomatic Relations” to young Argentinean diplomats at the National Institute of Foreign Service of Argentina (Instituto de Servicio Exterior de la Nacion). The gist of the lecture covered key elements of bilateral relations between Thailand and Argentina, Thai politics, Thai economy and important developments concerning ASEAN.
Chile interested in concluding FTA with Thailand
In Chile, TTR Vachara and Vice Minister Panich met with Ambassador Alberto van Klaveren Stork, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Both sides expressed strong will to further expand bilateral economic ties, particularly in the area of trade and investment expansion in potential sectors. Chile also expressed its interests in concluding the Thai — Chile Free Trade Agreement at the earliest opportunity. The FTA will be an essential instrument that facilitates trade and investment flows for the two countries in the future.
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