Commerce Ministry Partners with Saudi Arabia as Strategic Ally, Aiming to Make Thailand the Gateway for Food Trade to the Middle East

Supachai joined hands with Saudi Arabia's Commerce Minister to form a strategic partnership aiming to make Thailand the gateway for food and service trade to the Middle East, promoting continued growth in Thai rice, halal food, and fruit exports, while supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Ms. Supachai Suthumphand, Minister of Commerce. She revealed that on 4 Dec 2025 GMT+7, at GAFT in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she, accompanied by Ms. Kirida Paopijit, Assistant Minister of Commerce, Mr. Wutthikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Piyanuch Wutthison, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce, Ms. Chotima Iamsawatthikul, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Negotiations, Mr. Noppadol Kanthamat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, and other Commerce Ministry executives, met with Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Commerce. Dr. Al-Qasabi is a senior minister widely respected in Saudi Arabia's economic sector. They discussed ways to elevate economic and trade relations between the two countries and to accelerate opportunities for Thai agricultural and food products in the Middle Eastern market.

Ms. Supachai. She said Saudi Arabia was the first Middle Eastern country she visited after assuming office, reflecting Saudi Arabia's strategic importance to Thailand. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation as regional allies, starting with "trust" amid global economic challenges. Their goal is for Saudi Arabia to serve as the gateway to the Middle East and the GCC region. During the talks, the Saudi minister advised on promoting Thai products in the Saudi market and expressed readiness to support imports of quality Thai goods such as rice, halal food, food ingredients, and fruit. They also discussed product standards to enable Thai producers to meet Saudi demand, viewing Thailand as a potential "food security source" for Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Saudi Arabia granted permanent land for a Thai Village booth to promote and raise awareness of Thai products and services in the Middle East.

“Today, both parties agreed to develop a cooperation plan in service sectors where Thailand excels, such as tourism, restaurants, spas, and wellness services, as well as skilled labor cooperation including chefs and tourism staff. Thailand is ready to share knowledge and experience and support skilled workers to help Saudi Arabia achieve its strategic goals under the Saudi Vision 2030, a key national policy currently developing the economy to reduce oil dependence and emphasize tourism.” Ms. Supachai. She said.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia ranked as Thailand's 19th largest global trading partner and second in the Middle East, with total trade valued at 7,757.03 million U.S. dollars (exports at 2,856.68 million and imports at 4,900.36 million). In the first nine months of 2025 (Jan–Sep), bilateral trade totaled 5,815.82 million U.S. dollars, with Thai exports at 1,949.00 million and imports at 3,866.81 million. Top Thai export products included (1) automobiles and parts, (2) wood and wood products, (3) rubber products, (4) canned and processed seafood, and (5) machinery and parts. Major imports were (1) crude oil, (2) fertilizers and pesticides, (3) chemicals, (4) other metal ores, scrap metal, and products, and (5) natural gas.

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