The "Thailand Mega Fair 2023" commenced on Wednesday with a grand opening ceremony at The Arena Riyadh, marking a notable milestone in strengthening the cultural and economic ties between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. This inaugural event showcased Thailand's rich culture and its potential for economic collaboration. Organized by Index Creative Village Public Company Limited in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and Cosmos Events Company and under the auspices of the Royal Thai Embassy to Saudi Arabia, the "Thailand Mega Fair 2023" stands as a testament to Thailand's expanding influence in global trade and culture. The first-ever Thai trade exhibition of this magnitude in Riyadh, the fair showcases over 200 leading Thai brands and more than 1,000 diverse products across nine key sectors, including food and beverage, tourism and hospitality, MICE, smart agriculture and innovation, fragrances, health and wellness, auto parts, luxury building and décor, and lifestyle products. Supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and sponsored by companies such as Siam Piwat, SCG International Corporation, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), and Yak Green, the fair is a strategic initiative to enhance bilateral trade and cultural exchange. Distinguished guests, including ParnpreeBahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand; PipatRatchakitprakarn, Minister of Labor of Thailand; Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand; Darm Boontham, Ambassador of Thailand to Saudi Arabia; Dr. Sami Abdullah Al-Obeidi, Chairman of the Saudi Thai Business Council; and Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin, Founder and Group CEO of Index Creative Village Public Company Limited, attended the opening ceremony. The evening's highlights included speeches from key figures that outlined the future of Thai-Saudi economic relations. The Minister of Commerce, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, confirmed in his opening of the exhibition that this event is one of the outcomes of the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the State of Thailand, and added: "This partnership represents a milestone in economic diversification and trade cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Thailand, through facilitating trade and investment and providing opportunities for the business sector in our two countries. The efforts made during the past two years have resulted in effective partnerships, making the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the second trading partner of Thailand among the countries of the region, and the volume of trade reached (10) billion dollars for the year 2022 AD, with a growth of (38%) ) for the year 2021 AD." Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, in his opening remarks, stated "The recent visit by Thailand's Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia has laid the groundwork for a three-year economic plan focused on trade and investment. We are committed to supporting Saudi Vision 2030, especially in sectors, such as agriculture, food security, wellness, medicine, and tourism, and the Thailand Mega Fair exemplifies our dedication to forging partnerships that align with this vision." In addressing the outcome of the 1st Thai-Saudi Joint Business Council Meeting, Sanan Angubolkulemphasized the significant strides taken in fostering Thai-Saudi business relations. "The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand proudly led the first official Thai business delegation to Saudi Arabia in May 2022, a landmark initiative in our ongoing journey," he stated. "This December 2023, our commitment continues with the Thailand Mega Fair 2023, which not only opens new paths for the private sector but also marks a significant milestone in strengthening our business relationships and exploring further opportunities in Saudi Arabia." He elaborated on the collaborative efforts made during the visit, noting, "Our delegation's participation in the Saudi-Thai Joint Business Council meeting and the Saudi-Thai Business forum, hosted by the Federation of Saudi Chambers, has been pivotal. It led to a fruitful cooperation, agreeing to focus on eight key sectors, including Building Material and Construction, Food and Beverage, Tourism and Services, Energy, Tree Planting, Gems and Jewelry, Kitchenware, and Fertilizer. Moreover, we're dedicated to enhancing our economic relations by aiming to increase our trade volume by 20%, reaching a target of $12 billion by 2024." Open to the public through December 16, the "Thailand Mega Fair 2023" is not just a trade fair but also a cultural extravaganza, inviting attendees to explore Thailand's best products and services as well as enjoy daily Thai performances that showcase the country's rich cultural heritage. To pre-register for the Thailand Mega Fair 2023, please visit: https://thailandmegafair.com See you at the Thailand Mega Fair 2023 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during 13 to 16 December 2023, at The Arena Riyadh.
