Supachai discussed with JETRO and JCC to promote the Co-Creation model, raising the Thai-Japanese economy to a strategic partnership level, attracting investments in new industries, and supporting SMEs to enter global markets.
On 4 Nov 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supachai Suthampan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, along with the Ministry of Commerce executives, welcomed and exchanged views with Mr. Abe Ichiro, Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Bangkok), and Mr. Kondo Hiroyasu, Chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Bangkok (JCC Bangkok), along with executives from Japanese private companies who are JCC members. They reviewed the survey results on the economic outlook of Japanese joint ventures in Thailand for the first half of 2026 and received suggestions from the Japanese private sector to improve Thailand’s trade and investment environment, aiming to elevate economic cooperation from a production base to a strategic business partnership, create new business opportunities, and jointly drive future industries.
Ms. Supachai expressed gratitude to Japanese investors for their continued confidence and investment in Thailand. She noted that Thailand and Japan have a longstanding economic relationship and will mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2027. Thailand views Japan as a long-term strategic partner and aims to elevate relations from a production base to an economic partnership through joint technology development, production, and market expansion, forming the foundation for cooperation in new future industries (New S-Curve).
Both sides exchanged views on the economic environment amid global economic volatility and changing industrial competition affecting both countries. They stressed the need to adapt and cooperate to tackle these challenges. Nevertheless, Thailand’s economy remains driven by strong exports and growing private investment. Meanwhile, Thailand continues to develop and enhance trade agreements with partner countries to facilitate business operations and boost confidence among Japanese investors. Both parties also shared perspectives on global developments' impact and ways to strengthen investment confidence together.
Ms. Supachai emphasized advancing relations with Japan from an "Investment Partnership" to a "Strategic Business Partnership," building on existing ties by transforming traditional investment into joint creation of new business opportunities (Co-Creation), joint investments, and strategic business partnerships. This involves leveraging strengths of Thai and Japanese private sectors to develop products, services, technologies, and innovations, while pushing Thai SMEs into the global value chain. Collaboration with Japanese general trading companies (Sogo Shosha) will expand Thai product distribution channels globally, with plans to organize business matching events connecting capable Thai entrepreneurs with Japanese partners.
For future investments, Thailand seeks to elevate cooperation with Japan toward new industries including:
Modern automotive industry,
Semiconductor industry,
Digital and artificial intelligence,
Future food industry,
Aging economy,
Green industry and circular economy.
Ms. Supachai concluded that the Ministry of Commerce is ready to collaborate with JETRO and JCC to identify promising target industries and consider cooperation mechanisms to implement concrete projects in the future. The focus is on selecting industries with potential for joint Co-Creation to drive economic growth and elevate Thailand and Japan into a sustainably growing economic partnership.
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