Thailand and UAE Strengthen Trade Cooperation Amid Global Challenges
Minister Pichai Naripthaphan meets with Dubai Chambers' CEO to enhance bilateral trade ties and expand market presence.
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan held a meeting with Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, to bolster trade cooperation between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This discussion, which took place on a recent Sunday, focused on fostering collaboration in the face of global economic uncertainties, particularly influenced by continuing US trade conflicts.
Both parties acknowledged the necessity of closer cooperation to mitigate the impact of the prevailing global economic crisis.
Pichai expressed Thailand’s commitment to becoming a principal economic partner for the UAE within the ASEAN region and emphasized the need to enhance the participation of the Thai private sector in UAE markets.
To promote Thai business presence in the UAE, Pichai outlined a series of strategies including encouraging Thai companies to engage in trade fairs and business-matching events in Dubai.
There was also discussion on utilizing Dubai’s extensive trade networks to access promising markets in North Africa and Eastern Europe.
To ensure sustained bilateral economic cooperation, Pichai and Lootah agreed to develop systems that would support their trade relations, which include: an economic information exchange system, joint development programs for businesses, e-commerce promotion between the two countries, and creating a resilient and integrated supply chain.
In recognition of Dubai’s economic vision encapsulated in the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 (D33), Pichai highlighted the opportunities for Thailand to leverage this initiative to enhance trade and investment in key sectors such as processed food, health and beauty products, herbal products, and wellness and medical tourism.
Pichai also extended his congratulations to Lootah on the recent inauguration of the Dubai International Chamber in Thailand, marking it as the 36th Dubai Chamber established worldwide.
He expressed confidence that this new chamber would be instrumental in facilitating the exchange of business information, organizing trade fairs, and facilitating business collaborations.
Lootah, reinforcing his commitment to trade cooperation, indicated the UAE's goal to double its trade with Thailand by 2031.
He emphasized Thailand's strategic importance as a partner in ASEAN, citing its capabilities in food production, agricultural processing, creative industries, and tourism.
Furthermore, Lootah remarked on the potential for collaboration between Thailand and the UAE in sectors like food technology and robotics, noting that Thailand's strength in food products across the supply chain complemented the UAE’s expertise in IT and robotics, presenting opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the food industry.
Trade statistics indicate that Thai-UAE bilateral trade was valued at USD 20.688 billion in 2024, reflecting an 8.53% increase year-on-year.
Data from January to April 2025 show the trade value reached USD 7.825 billion, signifying a substantial 31.1% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
This discussion, which took place on a recent Sunday, focused on fostering collaboration in the face of global economic uncertainties, particularly influenced by continuing US trade conflicts.
Both parties acknowledged the necessity of closer cooperation to mitigate the impact of the prevailing global economic crisis.
Pichai expressed Thailand’s commitment to becoming a principal economic partner for the UAE within the ASEAN region and emphasized the need to enhance the participation of the Thai private sector in UAE markets.
To promote Thai business presence in the UAE, Pichai outlined a series of strategies including encouraging Thai companies to engage in trade fairs and business-matching events in Dubai.
There was also discussion on utilizing Dubai’s extensive trade networks to access promising markets in North Africa and Eastern Europe.
To ensure sustained bilateral economic cooperation, Pichai and Lootah agreed to develop systems that would support their trade relations, which include: an economic information exchange system, joint development programs for businesses, e-commerce promotion between the two countries, and creating a resilient and integrated supply chain.
In recognition of Dubai’s economic vision encapsulated in the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 (D33), Pichai highlighted the opportunities for Thailand to leverage this initiative to enhance trade and investment in key sectors such as processed food, health and beauty products, herbal products, and wellness and medical tourism.
Pichai also extended his congratulations to Lootah on the recent inauguration of the Dubai International Chamber in Thailand, marking it as the 36th Dubai Chamber established worldwide.
He expressed confidence that this new chamber would be instrumental in facilitating the exchange of business information, organizing trade fairs, and facilitating business collaborations.
Lootah, reinforcing his commitment to trade cooperation, indicated the UAE's goal to double its trade with Thailand by 2031.
He emphasized Thailand's strategic importance as a partner in ASEAN, citing its capabilities in food production, agricultural processing, creative industries, and tourism.
Furthermore, Lootah remarked on the potential for collaboration between Thailand and the UAE in sectors like food technology and robotics, noting that Thailand's strength in food products across the supply chain complemented the UAE’s expertise in IT and robotics, presenting opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the food industry.
Trade statistics indicate that Thai-UAE bilateral trade was valued at USD 20.688 billion in 2024, reflecting an 8.53% increase year-on-year.
Data from January to April 2025 show the trade value reached USD 7.825 billion, signifying a substantial 31.1% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
