Thailand Opens Middle East and Africa Trade Forum
Thailand hosted a trade forum bringing together over 30 importers from the Middle East and Africa with 130+ Thai businesses, resulting in 614 business matches worth 1.081 billion baht in potential trade.
Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion hosted the "Sourcing Forum from Middle East and Africa 2026" on July 23, 2026, inviting over 30 importers from the Middle East and Africa to negotiate with Thai businesses. More than 130 Thai entrepreneurs from food and beverages, processed fruit, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, rubber, and plastics sectors participated in the event. The forum successfully facilitated 614 business-matching pairs, generating total trade value of 1.081 billion baht, comprising 193.8 million baht in immediate orders and 887.2 million baht in anticipated trade within one year. Deputy Director-General Prawit Silaaon emphasized that Africa, with a population exceeding 1.3 billion, represents an untapped strategic market for Thai businesses. Despite challenges including market confidence, language barriers, payment transfers, long shipping times, and limited product awareness in Africa, the event demonstrates Thailand's commitment to diversifying export markets amid global economic uncertainty and rising protectionist trade measures.
