On Wednesday 2 May, The Australia Thailand Business Council convened the
inaugural Thai-Australia Business Dialogue, involving senior stakeholders in the
business relationship. Attendees included the Thai Ambassador His Excellency
Maris Sangiampongsa, representatives from the Thai Embassy and Consulate,
Thai Trade and Board of Investment, Austrade, the Australia Thailand Chamber of
Commerce in Thailand, the Australia Thailand Institute, the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, the Board of the Australia Thailand Business Council and CEO’s
and members of the ATBC which are some of the largest businesses involved in two-
way trade. The event was kindly hosted by King & Wood Mallesons in Sydney.
Great optimism was shared among participants regarding the business relationship
and strength and resilience of the Thai economy. Two-way investment totalling
almost $5bn in the past year does emphasise the greater Thai focus on Australia
as an investment destination with nearly $3bn invested here and Australians only
investing $1.9bn in the Thai economy.
Participants in the forum focused on developing and supporting a focused business
agenda for the Thai Prime Ministerial visit from Her Excellency Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra in May and looking for opportunities for further and deeper
business relationships between the two countries. As a result of the success of
the dialogue, we are committed to ensure this event is a regular feature of the Thai
Australia Business Council calendar in future.
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