PM Rallies Thai Business Leaders to Expand Into China Market

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul and Foreign Minister gathered 140 Thai business executives in Chengdu on July 18 for a Prime Minister-Thai Private Sector Luncheon, bringing together leaders from finance, food, energy, industrial parks, healthcare, and tourism sectors investing in China. Anuthin expressed satisfaction with the visit and stated that the government's official trip has clear and substantial goals, particularly promoting trade and investment in new industries between Thailand and China.

Following his July 17 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Xi confirmed that Thailand and China are "one family," Anuthin will hold discussions with Premier Li Qiang on July 19 to request support for Thai business operators in China. The day's activities include opening a Board of Investment office in Chengdu and hosting the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum, signaling Thailand's serious commitment to elevating local-level trade cooperation.

Anuthin assigned deputy prime ministers, the foreign minister, and other senior officials to discuss opportunities and challenges facing Thai private enterprises in China, particularly in Sichuan Province. The prime minister emphasized that government and private sector must work together under principles of good governance and transparency, with the state's role being to facilitate business by removing legal obstacles and accelerating free trade agreement negotiations with key trading partners.

Anuthin thanked Thai business leaders for driving the national economy and reiterated that while government creates opportunities, the private sector generates success. "If we work together as Team Thailand with a shared goal," he said, "we will not only grow in the Chinese market but step into the global market strongly and sustainably."