The Ministry of Commerce has launched the Business Exchange forum to connect Thai and Chinese business networks, emphasizing the Co-Creation concept for joint growth, with preparations underway for a roundtable discussion on 14 Nov 2026.
Mr. Warawut Somwangprasert, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, revealed after chairing the opening of the Business Exchange event under the China-Thailand business leaders exchange on 13 Nov 2026 at the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Association, Thai CC Tower, that China has been Thailand’s number one trading partner for 13 consecutive years. In 2025, bilateral trade reached 147 billion USD, expanding by 27%, reflecting strong economic ties and the potential to further develop business cooperation for mutual growth.
“Amid global economic challenges and supply chain shifts, collaboration between the governments and private sectors of both countries is crucial. The core of this cooperation is the Co-Creation concept—jointly creating value by leveraging the strengths, technology, innovation, and identities of Thailand and China to generate new business opportunities, boost competitiveness, and achieve mutually beneficial (Win-Win) growth.”
The Thai Ministry of Commerce has outlined three main pillars to promote Thai-Chinese economic cooperation:
1. Trade Focused on facilitating and expanding opportunities for goods and services from both countries to access each other’s markets, while supporting Thai entrepreneurs at all levels, especially SMEs, to access digital platforms and new trade channels in the Chinese market.
2. Investment and Supply Chain Promoting investment in future industries such as electric vehicles, clean energy, and food innovation, as well as connecting domestic manufacturers, parts suppliers, and raw materials into the global supply chain.
3. Connectivity Aimed at developing infrastructure, logistics systems, and seamless digital networks to reduce costs and improve efficiency in trade and transportation between the two countries.
This Business Exchange event provided leading Thai and Chinese business leaders opportunities to share views, suggestions, and cooperation approaches in promising sectors, covering topics like building a resilient rubber supply chain, food industry and rice product collaboration, expanding the home appliance market, electric vehicle cooperation, two-way investment, clean energy, financial connectivity, and future transport and logistics. This reflects opportunities to harness the business potential of both countries to form concrete partnerships.
Senior representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries participated, including Mr. Wang Liping, Director-General of the Asia Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Commerce; Mr. Narongsak Budprommongkol, Chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; and Mr. Sun Yu, Vice Chairman and CEO of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, along with leaders from major business organizations from both nations.
Mr. Warawut added that on 14 Nov 2026, the Thai Ministry of Commerce, together with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, will hold the Thai-Chinese Business Roundtable (10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok). The meeting will be attended by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, along with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supat Jutamaspan, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, senior government officials, and leading business leaders from both countries.
The Thai private sector participants include key business leaders such as Mr. Phot Aramvattananon, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Thai Chambers of Commerce; Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group; Mr. Chatisiri Sophonpanich, CEO of Bangkok Bank; and Mr. Vikrom Kromadit, CEO of Amata Corporation Public Company Limited, along with executives from leading business organizations across various sectors. About 100 participants are expected, with 50 from Thailand and 50 from China.
“These two days of activities are a crucial opportunity to connect Thai-Chinese business networks, from exchanging views to discussions at the national leadership and private sector levels, to push cooperation into tangible results. The Department is ready to support creating trade opportunities, market expansion, and linking Thai entrepreneurs with Chinese business partners to elevate the relationship from important trading partners to co-thinking, co-investing, and co-creating partners, leading to sustainable joint economic growth.”
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