Thai Delegation in Canada for the First Time to Talk Energy and Trade

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 1, 2014) - Strong economic growth in Thailand in the past decade has put pressure on the country's energy security. The country is exploring innovative ways to create an energy architecture that is, secure, sustainable and affordable. High-profile Thai business leaders and officials are meeting with senior government representatives and top executives in Toronto and Vancouver from October 2 to 7th to discuss fossil and renewable energy, and bio-fuel development between both countries.

Led by Senior Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Phongsak Assakul, this is the first and largest-ever prominent Thai trade delegation to visit Canada. Talks will also focus on investment opportunities in both, Canada and Thailand spanning agri-food to paper and lumber, textile, waste-to-energy management, information communication technology, healthcare, automotive, education and the grocery business.

Hon. Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism will address the Thai delegation at a dinner on Sunday, October 5th at Pan Pacific Hotel. The next day, British Columbia (BC) senior government representatives and the Thai delegation are convening at the Vancouver Club to explore opportunities for trade, investment and technology cooperation. Mr. Brian Hansen, Assistant Deputy Minister and Lead Negotiator, Energy and LNG Initiatives are among the BC government presenters speaking on investment opportunities in the various BC industries.

On OCTOBER 6TH, from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m., the Thai delegation will brief the business community on "Why Thailand", a seminar highlighting trade and investment opportunities in Thailand followed by a networking lunch.

Prior to Vancouver, a similar presentation for the Toronto business community and media will be held on October 2nd at the One King West Hotel and Residence. For Toronto event registration, contact Ms. Helga (Sarazin) Guathier of the Royal Thai Embassy, Ottawa at Tel: 613-729-5235 or e-mail: helgas@thaiembassy.ca. The Thai delegation is also scheduled to meet leading Canadian investors: Bombardier, and Scotiabank - the main shareholder of Thanachart, Thailand's fifth largest commercial bank as well as PTTEP (Canada), a major Thai petroleum company who purchased 40% of Statoil's oil sands project in Northern Alberta for USD 2.28 billion in 2010. Thailand is the second-largest oil and gas importer in Southeast Asia.

The sustained robust economic advancement coupled with impressive hardship reduction inspired the World Bank to upgrade Thailand from a lower to upper-middle income economy in 2011. "The country's strategic location serves as an ideal travel and business gateway into the heart of Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, regarded as one of world's fastest growing economic regions with a combined population of over 600 million people," said Royal Thai Consul-General, Mrs. Sutthiluck Sa-ngarmangkang whose Consulate's establishment dates to 1996.

According to Government of Canada, two-way trade between both countries surpassed $3.5 billion in 2013, making Thailand, Canada's second biggest Southeast Asian trading partner. On March 23, 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced pursuing exploratory talks towards a free trade with Thailand. "A free trade agreement with Thailand - one of the fastest growing economies in the world - stands to significantly benefit farmers and businesses across Canada," he said.

"Why Thailand" seminar on October 6th in Vancouver is open to the business community. For seminar registration and information, contact Royal Thai Consulate-General at Tel: 604-687-1143 ext. 312 or e-mail info@thaicongenvancouver.org or log on to www.thaiconsulatevancouver.ca/events.

Members of the media are invited to attend the Vancouver press conference as outlined below. For media registration, go to Thailand Trade Mission 2014.



VANCOUVER PRESS CONFERENCE
Day & Date: Monday, October 6th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m
Venue: Vancouver Club, 915 W Hastings St, Vancouver



About Thailand Trade Mission to Canada 2014

The Canadian visit is organized by the Canadian Embassy in Thailand in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Royal Consulate General in Vancouver, and Team Thailand-Canada to strengthen commercial relationships and further enhance bilateral trade between the two countries. Team Thailand-Canada is made up of officials from the Board of Investment Office in New York and Thai Trade Centre, Vancouver.

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For interviews or photos suitable for publication:
North America Asean Consultants Inc.
Agnes Chung
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