Business Activities and Calendar

Thai Ambassador Promotes Increased Trade and Investment with Myanmar at Top Thai Brands 2018
On 7 June 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long delivered the opening remarks at the Top Thai Brands 2018, Yangon, trade fair at Tatmadaw Hall, together with U Aung Soe, Director General of the Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization (MYANTRADE). The trade fair was organized by the Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, Yangon, to showcase high quality products and services from Thailand, and to promote business networks and business collaboration between Thailand and Myanmar. There were altogether 100 participating Thai companies from various sectors, including food and beverages, health and beauty, medicine and medical equipment, packaging and household products, fashion and lifestyle.
Ambassador Leads Thai Business Delegation to Pay Courtesy Call on the Chief Minister of Kayah State
On 25 May 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long led a delegation of 11 Thai businessmen from the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM), representing various sectors, to pay a courtesy call on U L Phaung Cho, Chief Minister of Kayah State, together with the ministers of Kayah State Government, and U Thein Myint, Chairman of Kayah State Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Ambassador highlighted the Royal Thai Government’s policy to enhance Thailand’s relations in all aspects with every state of Myanmar. In addition, the Royal Thai Government also aims for Thai businesses to learn firsthand of trade and investment opportunities from the Myanmar government and Myanmar private sector. The Chief Minister of Kayah State welcomed foreign investment and informed that Kayah State prioritizes investments in the following sectors: (1) hotels and tourism; (2) hydropower; (3) agriculture; (4) logistics; (5) construction; and (6) industrial zone.
Ambassador Leads Thai Business Delegation to Kayah State Investment Forum
On 26 May 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long led a Thai business delegation to the Kayah State Investment Forum. The Forum was jointly organized by the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), the Kayah State Government, and the Kayah Investment Committee. Its purpose was to provide information on the prioritized sectors for investment in Kayah State, which includes (1) agriculture; (2) mining; (3) hotels and tourism; and (4) industry. U L Phaung Cho, Chief Minister of Kayah State, and U Maung Maung Win, Deputy Minister of Planning and Finance, opened the Kayah State Investment Forum. Ministers of the Kayah State Government, the Secretary of the Myanmar Investment Commission, and the diplomatic corps in Yangon were also present.
Please Join Us in Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Thailand-Myanmar Diplomatic Relations!
The Royal Thai Embassy, Yangon, has a series of events planned to celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand-Myanmar diplomatic relations this year. There will be events to celebrate this milestone in our long historic friendship in both Thailand and Myanmar, ranging from academic seminars on our shared cultural heritage and economic relations, to a wide variety of cultural exhibitions and performances. Please save the dates and join us in our many celebrations! In June, we will kick off with an art exhibition under the theme “Colours of Friendship,” featuring paintings by national artists and leading artists from Thailand and Myanmar, during 7 – 14 June 2018 at the National Museum in Yangon. Later in the month, we will then entertain you with Khon, the epic masked dance performance of Thailand, by the Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Thailand, on 19 June at the National Theatre in Yangon, on 21 June at the meeting hall of MICC II in Nay Pyi Taw, and on 23 June at Mandalay National Theatre. In July, the fun continues with a Thai Film Festival during 6 – 8 July at Junction City, Yangon, and the Thai Food Festival during 9 – 12 July at Novotel, Yangon! Stay tuned for more details and hope to see you at all the events!
Kayah State Investment Fair during 26 - 27 May 2018
Royal Thai Embassy Organizes Briefing on Myanmar Business Survey and Rakhine State for Thai Businesses
On 5 April 2018, the Royal Thai Embassy organized a briefing on “Myanmar Business Survey and Developments in Rakhine” for the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM). Mr. Chanchai Tanatkatrakul, Principal of Roland Berger Thailand, introduced the audience to Roland Berger (RB) and RB’s projects in Southeast Asia, while Mr. Dieter Billen, Principal and Head of Roland Berger Myanmar, briefed the audience on the results of RB’s second Myanmar Business Survey in 2017. The Survey indicated a drop in business confidence in Myanmar, from 73% in 2016 to 49% in 2017, with the key issues being the lack of clear economic policies, skilled human resources, and stable electricity supply. However, RB noted that the Myanmar government has taken some positive steps, which include the new Myanmar Investment Law and the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Moreover, foreign companies are still entering Myanmar, which is a “frontier” market with a strategic location between India and China. In order to be successful in Myanmar, RB recommends that companies maintain a good reputation, engage with the Myanmar government, plan for the long term, invest in training, and leverage new technologies. Dr. Aung Tun Thet, Chief Coordinator of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Development in Rakhine (UEHRD), then briefed the audience on the situation in Rakhine and the Myanmar government’s response. He also invited Thai businesses to contribute to the social and economic development in Rakhine by investing in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, oil and gas, tourism, technical and vocational training. The Royal Thai Embassy has consistently supported events to provide information to Thai businesses and to support development in various areas of Myanmar.
Royal Thai Embassy Briefs University Students on Thai-Myanmar Relations
On 6 April 2018, Ms. WirakaMoodhitaporn, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy, together with Ms.WalikarApayasiri, Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, receivedand briefed 33fourth year university students from the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prince of Songkla University. The students had designed products for export and were visiting Myanmar on a market survey. During the briefing, the Minister Counsellor highlighted the Thai Government’s policy on neighboring countries, including long historical relations between Thailand and Myanmar, mechanism to exchange high level visitsthrough established joint committees, policies to facilitate connectivity, and capacity building through development cooperation. In addition, the Minister Counsellor also spoke of the series of events to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand-Myanmar diplomatic relations this year, which includes masked dance performances, an art exhibition, and the construction of a small pagoda. The Counsellor for Commercial Affairs then highlighted investment opportunities in Myanmar due to Myanmar’s strategic location between the large markets of China and India, Myanmar’s large working age population and growing middle income population. The Counsellor also emphasized the challenges and how the Commercial Affairs Office could help Thai businessmen in doing business in Myanmar.
Thai Ambassador Promotes Knowledge Sharing among the International Business Community in Yangon
On 4 April 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long delivered the opening remarks at the joint event between the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM) and AustCham Myanmar on “Transforming Your Company to Meet Financial Standards.” Ambassador recommended that companies entering the Myanmar market should prepare themselves well by studying the Myanmar economy, the business environment, related policies, rules and regulations, the local culture, and to have a carefully thought out financial plan. Financial experts, Ms. Kim Chawsu, Director at the New Yangon Development Corporation, and Ms. Belinda Neo, Director at PWC Myanmar, then briefed the audience on the importance of financial statements and international financial reporting standards, which strengthen a company’s position to obtain a loan from the bank and to attract business partners.
Thai Ambassador Promotes Thai-Myanmar Business Collaboration on Construction and Infrastructure
On 2 April 2018, Ambassador Jukr Boon-Long chaired a meeting between executive members of the Myanmar Licensed Contractors Association (MLCA) and the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM) committee. MLCA was established in 2016 with the aim to develop the construction and infrastructure industries of Myanmar. It currently has 800 member companies in construction and infrastructure, and is also taking part in Yangon’s new city development project. Ambassador informed MLCA that Thailand has suppliers on construction materials, banks, and trading companies, and discussed business models for collaboration. MLCA welcomed investors to join the new city development project, and expressed its interest to collaborate with Thailand on waste water treatment, water systems in industrial zones, construction materials, low cost housing, and border development projects. TBAM informed that they can act as a bridge to connect MLCA with relevant Thai businesses and can help share information on MLCA’s projects.
Royal Thai Embassy Highlights Thailand’s Policy to Promote Relations and Cooperation with Neighbouring Countries
On 29 March 2018, Mr. Narong Boonsatheanwong, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Royal Thai Embassy, together with Mr. Pakainay Leng-Ee, Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, and Miss Walikar Apayasiri, Counsellor for Commercial Affairs, receivedand briefed Bangkok Bank’s third class of “AEC Business Leader” comprising executives from 41 Thai companies. Mr. Narong emphasized the Royal Thai Government’s policy to promote relations and cooperation with neighbouring countries. This is evident in the many cooperation committees between Thailand and Myanmar, for example, the Joint Border Commission and the Joint Trade Committee. Thailand also works with Myanmar on the international stage, including ASEAN and the UN. Moreover, given global economic developments, the Myanmar market and trade with Myanmar has become increasingly important for Thailand. In addition, Mr. Narong spoke of the series of events planned by both countries to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Thailand-Myanmar diplomatic relations in 2018. This includes the “Myanmar Insight 2018” seminar on Myanmar’s economy on 20 July 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Office of Commercial Affairs highlighted economic opportunities in Myanmar as a result of a growing consumer market and large labour force. The Office also recommended Thai companies to meet with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC), and the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM).