BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun welcomed Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda, along with executives from leading Swiss companies and business organizations, at the Ministry of Commerce.
The meeting focused on expanding trade and investment cooperation in preparation for the targeted January 1, 2027 implementation of the Thailand–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Free Trade Agreement. Both parties aim to promote business opportunities, technology transfer, and the integration of Thai SMEs into global supply chains.
Participating companies included Nestlé, which plans additional investment in coffee production and pet food; Kühne+Nagel, which is exploring opportunities in logistics, cloud and data center supply chains, warehousing, and air freight; Novartis and Roche, which are considering cooperation in pharmaceutical research and medical innovation; and Oerlikon, which is evaluating investments to support Thailand’s aviation and semiconductor industries. Representatives from economiesuisse, Swissmem, Swissrail, SIFEM, SERV, Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), and DKSH also attended.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the FTA’s success relies on delivering practical business benefits. The ministry is committed to helping Thai SMEs meet international standards, connect with global companies, and attract investment in advanced technologies, innovation, and renewable energy. The ministry also aims to promote knowledge transfer and workforce development. Both sides also discussed intellectual property protection, reducing customs barriers, facilitating digital trade, and improving business coordination channels.
Thailand–Switzerland trade reached US$14.24 billion in 2025, an increase of 31.12%. In the first eight months of 2026, bilateral trade totaled US$9.56 billion, up 26%. Both sides are currently finalizing domestic procedures to ensure the Thailand-EFTA FTA takes effect as scheduled. (NNT)
