Message from the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Japan

The ASEAN-Japan Centre has been instrumental in promoting business interest between Thailand and Japan. The Royal Thai Embassy collaborates with the Centre through our three major offices, namely the Office of the board of Investment (BOI), The Office of Commercial Affairs, and the Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

BOI has worked with the Centre under three major programmes; Industrial Familiarization, Investment Promotion and Investment Promotion Mission to promote Japanese investment in Thailand. Various activities such as Investment Seminar, Business Matchmaking, Outbound and Inbound Mission as well as Press Mission to Thailand were jointly organised. These activities proved to be successful both in enhancing Japanese investment in Thailand and strengthening relationship between investment promotion organizations of the two countries.

The Centre has also been active in promoting trade between Thailand and Japan. Activities including trade exhibitions, seminars, business networking and capacity building programmes were implemented in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy's Office of Commercial Affairs.

The Office of Tourism of Authority of Thailand (TAT) has regularly participated in the Centre's meetings and tourism promotion seminars. The highlight of their joint effort is the ASEAN Tourism Fair organised annually in major cities throughout Japan.

In looking ahead, there are still many opportunities in the future direction of the ASEAN-Japan Centre. The ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP) and the region's moves towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 provide tremendous business opportunities for both Japan and ASEAN to strengthen our economic partnership and integration. In this context, the Royal Thai Embassy stands ready to continue our works with the ASEAN-Japan Centre in exploring ways and means to promote future cooperation in new potential areas beneficial to both Japan and the region.