BANGKOK, Thailand – Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan recently met with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, to explore investment opportunities and strengthen partnerships between Thailand and the UAE. During the discussions, Minister Phichai invited the UAE delegation, which included prominent investors, to consider Thailand’s technology and food sectors as promising areas for economic cooperation.
One of the primary topics was the potential establishment of a data center in Thailand, a venture in which the UAE has expressed keen interest. With Thailand’s advanced digital infrastructure, extensive 5G coverage, reliable power and water supplies, and skilled workforce, Thailand is considered an attractive location for investment in the data center industry, from software development to service provision. The UAE also showed interest in attracting Thai investors for infrastructure projects within the UAE, stressing the mutual benefits of this collaboration.
Food security was also a major focus, with Minister Phichai positioning Thailand as a dependable source for the UAE’s agricultural imports, including rice, poultry, and canned tuna. The UAE expressed interest in investing in Thailand’s agricultural and food sectors, offering water and waste management expertise to support Thailand’s industry. The UAE also invited Thailand to increase agricultural exports to meet local demand, suggesting the use of its logistics infrastructure as a gateway for Thai products to reach markets in Africa and Europe.
The UAE further highlighted a need for skilled Thai labor, particularly engineers, to drive its growth targets. The two ministers also reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Thailand and the UAE, agreeing to expedite negotiations to create greater trade opportunities for businesses in both nations. (NNT)
