Thai ambassadors and consuls to help boost trade and investment
The Foreign Ministry has called for a meeting of ambassadors and consuls-general worldwide from November 20 to 24 to discuss the economic diplomacy policy.
They will brainstorm on strategies to drive foreign policies, particularly focusing on the government's key strategies, including opening new markets and attracting investments.
The meeting will involve ambassadors, consuls, and commercial attachés from the Ministry of Commerce and the Board of Investment (BOI) working together comprehensively. The discussions will also involve provincial governors where the focus will be on promoting relationships and cooperation with neighbouring countries across various dimensions.
Additionally, the meeting will involve hearing input and opinions from various sectors, such as academia and private organisations, on topics including megatrends, politics/statecraft, economics, superpower competition, climate change, and digital economy. This collaboration aims to benefit foreign policies by leveraging international relationships effectively.
Currently, Thailand has 97 diplomatic offices worldwide, including 65 embassies, 28 consulates, permanent representatives of Thailand to the UN and ASEAN, and the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs. These offices will participate in certain programmes.
Back in October, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, stated in the seminar “Thailand Economic Outlook 2024 Change the Future Today” that the government would use economic diplomacy as a key tool to attract foreign investors. This approach will focus on significant aspects related to enhancing negotiation power and adding value to Thailand’s relationships with other countries.
The aim is to diversify economic risks, promote green economy, alternative energy, digitalisation, and sustainable agriculture to create new jobs and reduce reliance on the traditional economy by building relations with politically influential countries and regional economies.
Key targeted countries include China, the US, Japan and India. Thailand will also enhance relationships and cooperate with other economically significant countries such as South Korea, Australia, the European Union, ASEAN member countries, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Additionally, Thailand will focus on creating a conducive environment with its partner countries in terms of manufacturing, services, research, and development.
Thailand will utilise economic diplomacy to align with global changes, adhere to international norms, democracy, fundamental human rights, and demonstrate readiness to contribute to solving global challenges, such as climate change. Simultaneously, Thailand will use economic diplomacy as the forefront of the new era of diplomacy, exploring new opportunities in digital economy, innovation, entrepreneur development, and grooming new generations.
Thailand will also encourage Thai investments abroad and offer benefits to investors in the future industries. The BOI will facilitate long-term visas and prioritise issues related to the blue economy and regional cooperation through platforms like the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), as well as the New Emerging Economies (BRICS) group.
