PRETORIA, 29 July 2015 – Minister of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikalya has convened a special meeting with Thai ambassadors and commercial attach?s in major African countries to discuss ways to expand trade opportunities.
Talks were held in Pretoria, South Africa between Gen Chatchai, the Thai ambassador to South Africa, and commercial attach?s in Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya. The Commerce Minister urged them to build confidence in Thailand’s political situation among African businessmen by stressing the government’s intention to complete the reform roadmap to sustainable democracy and strengthen international trade relations.
Gen Chatchai also instructed the commercial attach?s to analyze market trends in African countries to see which products or businesses can succeed in African markets. The Commerce Minister has led a team of Thai business operators to launch a trade roadshow and explore business opportunities in South Africa between July 25 and 30.
Exports to Africa during the first half of the year were valued at three billion dollars, representing a 15% fall. Main products, including rice and vehicles, faced a sales drop due to a decline in purchasing power among importers. However, exports in the second half of the year are likely to pick up, thanks to a series of government trade promotions.
