HONG KONG – The government has presented trade diversification, broader economic partnerships, and greater support for small businesses as key approaches to navigating changes in the global economy. Vice Minister of Commerce Kirida Bhaopichitr presented the priorities at the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, held September 9 to 10 with more than 6,000 public- and private-sector participants.
During a policy dialogue on resilient trade and investment, Kirida called for countries to diversify their import, export, and investment partners; expand cooperation through free trade agreements; and improve opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. She also expressed support for greater access to technology and digital infrastructure to help smaller businesses participate more effectively in international trade.
Kirida met Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmad Mohammed Al-Sayed, to discuss SMEs, digital trade, and medical care, with Thailand viewing Qatar as a potential gateway to Middle Eastern markets. She also met with Sri Lankan Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, to review progress on the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement, expected to take effect in early 2027, and to discuss cooperation in food development and processed food production.
In talks with Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Kirida explored investment, trade exhibitions, SME support, and new channels for Thai products, including T-Beauty and high-quality consumer goods. The two sides also discussed cooperation in finance, education, and aviation, as well as opportunities in Thailand’s medical, wellness, and tourism sectors. (NNT)
