Top Turkish media visit Thailand, urging Turkish businessmen for closer economic ties

On 2-8 March 2013, top Turkish economic media representatives experienced Thailand’s economic opportunities with their own eyes in Bangkok, Chonburi and Phuket, and will convey the message of Thai-Turkish economic potentials to their Turkish readers.

Mr. Hakan Güldağ, Editor-in-Chief, Dünya Newspaper, Mr. Ali Ağaoğlu, Editor-in-Chief, Fortune Turkey Magazine, and Mr. Murat Yülek, Columnist, Zaman Newspaper and  Dünya Newspaper, participated in the Project of “Promoting Thai-Turkish Economic Relations through Turkish Economic Media Representatives”, organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara, Turkey. Ms. Wichulee Chotbenjakul, Second Secretary of the Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara, accompanied the media delegation during the trip in Thailand.

The Project was aimed at bringing Thailand’s economic potentials to awareness of the Turkish journalists.  During the trip, the Turkish media representatives had more than ten interviews with various public and private sectors, which enable them to have an overall picture of Thailand’s economy.

Government authorities include H.E. Mr. Nattawut Saikuar, Deputy Minister of Commerce, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sommai Prijasilpa, Deputy Governor of Phuket. They also met with representatives from many other government agencies, such as the Board of Investment, the Office of the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and the Laem Chabang Deep Sea Port.

They also had rare opportunities to discuss openly with Thai business communities to share the views on potentials of cooperation between the two countries, such as Mr. Isara Vongkusolkit, 1st Chairman of Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, Mr. Pornsil Patchrintanakul, Chairman of the Thai-Turkish Business Council, Federation of Thai Industries Thai Contractors Association, Phuket Tourists Association, Thai Rubber Association, Phuket Real Estate Association and Phuket Spa Association.

They also paid visits to leading companies in their respective sectors, including automotive parts, rubber, medical tourism and spa. There sectors are fast growing in both countries which could serve as complementary strengths for potential business partnership in the future. During the same occasion, they met with the Halal Science Center at the Chulalongkorn University that spearheaded Halal product verification in Thailand.

It was generally agreed that Thailand and Turkey share many untapped economic opportunities, especially when considering the fact that both countries are located in strategic locations – Thailand at the center of ASEAN; Turkey linking the Eastern Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. However, both countries still lack awareness of each other. It is therefore truly believed that, through the top Turkish media, this project will encourage Turkish business circle to explore business opportunities in Thailand.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara is ready to fully support any economic cooperation efforts between Thailand and Turkey. For further information, please contact [email protected].

This Project will be followed by a similar project, specially catered for Thai journalists to visit Turkey in the second half of this year. Serving the same purpose of strengthening economic ties, the next phase of the project will raise awareness of Turkey among the Thai business community.

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Wichulee Chotbenjakul

Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara