“Phumtham” led the commerce team to discuss with the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, announcing the continuation of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that Thailand attaches importance to Kazakhstan as a new market with potential, ready to cooperate in all aspects, announcing the date of signing the economic and trade cooperation agreement, paving the way for cooperation in various fields, with a plan to open a commercial diplomatic office to drive trade, and inviting Kazakhstani entrepreneurs to participate in trade exhibitions in Thailand, organizing a forum for business matching negotiations, expanding opportunities for trade between the two countries, promising Kazakhstan to look into the matter of establishing a consulate, importing meat, signing an MOU on agricultural cooperation, and a double tax agreement.
Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, revealed after a discussion with Mr. Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of the Republic of K
azakhstan at Government House that he had informed the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan that Thailand recognizes the importance of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a potential trading partner and a gateway to promote Thai products to other countries in Central Asia and the countries in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Therefore, he led a group of senior executives from the Ministry of Commerce to visit. In addition to signing the agreement on trade and economic cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan, the objectives were to explore the market and opportunities for Thai products, as well as to publicize and create an image for Thai products and service businesses in the Kazakhstani market, as well as to obtain information on appropriate channels for transporting and distributing Thai products to the Kazakhstani market and the Central Asian region, which are areas with challenges and limitations in transporting goods due to being landlocked countries. Furthermore, this visit marks the first official visit at th
e economic ministerial level between Thailand and Kazakhstan in 17 years.
He informed the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan that during this visit, the Ministry of Commerce is scheduled to sign the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan with Mr. Arman Shakkhaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration, and will meet with Dr. Mirgali Kunayev, Honorary Consul of Thailand to the Republic of Kazakhstan, to discuss ways to expand trade between the two countries, including the opening of the Ministry of Commerce’s Office of International Trade Promotion in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as a mechanism to drive bilateral trade relations and trade value between the two countries. He also took this opportunity to acknowledge the direction and economic and trade policies of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the Prime Minister, which will be used as a guideline for determining policies to promote trade between Thailand and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
At the same time, it was p
roposed that in order to promote mutual trade, Kazakhstani entrepreneurs are invited to participate in international trade fairs in Thailand, which the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, organizes continuously every year, such as the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (9-13 Sep 67), THAIFEX-HOREC Asia (5-7 Mar 68), STYLE Bangkok (2-6 Apr 68), and THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA (27-31 May 68), etc., as well as participating in Online Business Matching (OBM) activities. If Kazakhstani entrepreneurs are interested in negotiating business with Thai entrepreneurs on any products, especially premium pet food products that are in demand in the Kazakhstani market, they can inform the Ministry of Commerce.
‘I have informed the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan that the signing of the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan will be an important starting point for developing economic and trade cooperation in various fields. As for promoting private sector participation in
activities organized by each party, such as trade fairs and online business matching, this will increase trade opportunities between the two parties. Previously, the commercial attaché was in charge of by Russia, but soon there will be a plan to open a commercial attaché office in Kazakhstan as well. I would like to ask the Prime Minister to support this. Thailand has also started negotiations to establish an FTA with the EAEU, so I would like to ask for support from Kazakhstan in this regard. As for tourism, the two parties have signed a visa exemption agreement since April 2024. I hope that there will be an increase in tourism between the two parties, which will benefit both economies,’ said Mr. Phumtham.
However, Kazakhstan discussed the request for permission to establish a Kazakhstani consulate in Phuket Province, which I believe will help strengthen relations between the two countries and facilitate Kazakhstanis who travel to Thailand. I will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to follow up
on the progress. As for the consideration of the request for permission to import meat products from Kazakhstan, I understand that the Department of Livestock Development is considering the request for permission to import beef products from 10 Kazakhstani companies, which will help expedite the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ consideration and notification to the Kazakhstani side. The preparation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Kazakhstan is awaiting the opinion of the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. I am confident that if it is signed, it will help increase agricultural cooperation between the two countries. The Revenue Department is considering the revival of discussions to establish a double taxation agreement between Thailand and Kazakhstan. If successful, it will help reduce double taxation related to international income tax, as well as promote international cooperation in preventing and avoiding
international taxation for both sides. In addition, I brought products from entrepreneurs from other provinces in Thailand, such as fresh longans from Lamphun, indigo-dyed scarves from Sakon Nakhon, and white cotton cloths from Nong Bua Lamphu. Let’s ask the Prime Minister to get to know more about Thai products.
For trade between Thailand and the Republic of Kazakhstan, although it is not much when compared to Thailand’s current major trading partners, it has the potential and tendency to expand in the future. In 2023, Kazakhstan will be Thailand’s 90th trading partner, with a total trade value of 171.79 million US dollars, an increase of 26.28 percent from the previous year.
Source: Thai News Agency