BANGKOK – On March 15, the Foreign Ministry published a summary of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany on March 12–13, 2024, as a guest of the German government.
It is noted that Germany is one of the Prime Minister’s first visit to Europe region that opened new avenues to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interests, based on shared values and principles, as well as to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness through strategic cooperation with a key partner country.
On this occasion, Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Foreign Minister, also attended the program. The visit, which closely followed the recent official visit of Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to the Kingdom of Thailand in January, reaffirmed Germany’s confidence in Thailand’s post-election political stability as well as economic potential that are crucial for the investment from German businesses.
On March 13, Prime Minister Srettha had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor agreed that both sides, through the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and the bilateral Political Consultations, will further discuss the Joint Roadmap in order to elevate the Thai-German partnership to a strategic level.
The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation based on mutual interests such as cooperation on political and economic areas, especially exchange of high-level visits, cooperation on clean energy and green transition, EVs and battery industry in order to enhance Thailand’s potential as EVs production hub.
There is also a topic of transfer of knowledge and technology on sustainable agriculture, development of infrastructure and connectivities through Thailand’s Landbridge project, people-to-people relations, human resource and vocational education, support for the Thai – EU FTA negotiations and on the negotiation of the Schengen visa exemption for Thai ordinary passport holders, as well as cooperation on regional and global issues such as climate change and global security.
Also, on March 13, Prime Minister Srettha delivered a keynote speech at the Annual Reception of the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) under the theme “Future Day for SMEs”.
Prime Minister shared his “Ignite Thailand” vision to respond to current global challenges, climate change and geopolitics, as well as reassured the German business sector that they have vast potential to further advance trade and investment cooperation with Thailand.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Srettha invited BVMW to set up its regional office in Thailand to promote and facilitate German SMEs’ investment in Thailand and the region.
Prime Minister Srettha met one-on-one with leading German companies, aiming to attract more German investments in Thailand. The business representatives are from (1) automobile sector, namely Volkswagen (Germany’s largest automobile company), BMW, and Mercedes Benz (premium automobile brands); (2) heavy industry’s parts producer, namely Schaeffler; (3) producers of automobile parts, namely Fritz Draexlmaier and Mahle; and (4) semi-conductor producer, namely Infineon.
- Outcome of the official visit to Germany
- Both leaders agreed to the Roadmap to elevate relations to a strategic partnership.
- Both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation based on mutual interests, especially on the exchanges of high-level visits, cooperation on clean energy and green transition, the EV and battery industries, sustainable agriculture, development of infrastructure and connectivity through Thailand’s Landbridge project, Thai – EU FTA negotiations and Schengen visa exemption for ordinary Thai passport holders, as well as cooperation on regional and global issues, including climate change and global security.
- The Prime Minister also met with leading German companies to attract more German investments to Thailand, especially in the automotive and semiconductor sectors.
______
Related article:
