On 8 January 2014 at 14.00 hours, H.E. Mr. Tharit Charungvat, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Turkey, met with H.E. Mr. Tarık Sönmez, Director-General for Export, Ministry of Economy of Turkey. H.E. the Ambassador initiated exchanges of visits of Thai and Turkish business people and organising fairs annually to promote bilateral trade.

H.E. the Ambassador conveyed his commitment in promoting trade, both Thailand’s export to Turkey and Turkey’s export to Thailand. He believes that two-way trade will not only mutually benefit the two countries, but is also more sustainable.

H.E. Mr. Tharit informed H.E. the Director-General that he looks forward for tangible activities in promoting bilateral trade. Keen examples could be annual exchange visits of their business peoples and organising fairs in the counterpart’s country led by both governments for three consecutive years.

H.E. the Ambassador also expressed his readiness to help Turkey open winter fruits market in Thailand as he sees vast potential, while Thailand is also eager to export tropical fruits to Turkish market. The Royal Thai Embassy will propose that relevant authorities of both sides meet to discuss on ways to reduce existing procedures of phytosanitary inspection requirements on agricultural products.

In reply, H.E. the Director-General expressed his support and his readiness to cooperate with Thailand on the proposal on the exchange of visits of business delegation and Turkey’s winter fruit promotion. He suggested that H.E. the Ambassador meet with the Turkish Export Association (TIM) which is capacitated to provide a list of winter fruits to be exported to Thailand.

Both sides welcomed the first meeting on Thailand-Turkey Free Trade Agreement in last August. Both believed that the Free Trade Agreement will serve as a significant mechanism to drive bilateral trade and investment. H.E. Mr. Tharit elaborated that Thailand is undergoing a negotiation on the Thailand-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement. Considering the fact that Turkey already has Turkey-EU Customs Union implemented, Thailand does not wish Turkey to be at loss by Thailand’s export to Turkey via the Customs Union. Negotiation in parallel with Turkey will therefore benefit all sides.

H.E. Mr. Tharit also offers Turkey to use Thailand as a trade and investment hub in ASEAN as next year (2015) ten ASEAN countries will be integrated into a single market under the ASEAN Economic Community. This will allow Turkey to benefit from freer flow of trade, service, capital and labour among the ten members.

Trade figures between Thailand and Turkey during January-November 2013 stood at 1,365.14 million USD, increased by 11.23 percent from the same period in 2012. Thailand’s export to Turkey amounted to 1,062.79 USD, with 6.40 percent increase while the import from Turkey rose by 32.38 percent at 302.35 million USD. At present, Thailand is the third biggest trade partner with Turkey among ASEAN countries after Indonesia and Vietnam.

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Royal Thai Embassy, Ankara
10 January 2014