Thai PM Arrives in Tokyo for "Team Thailand" Meeting to Boost Investment and Cheer Athletes

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, and is scheduled to chair a "Team Thailand" meeting at the Imperial Hotel tomorrow. The meeting will focus on reviewing the performance, identifying challenges, and gathering recommendations from Thai agencies operating in Japan. The objective is to align their efforts with the government's strategy to promote Japanese business and investment, particularly in the automotive sector, which is crucial to the Thai economy, and to position Thailand as an investment hub for future industries, thereby creating opportunities for Thai citizens and the private sector. "Team Thailand" comprises representatives from various Thai government agencies abroad, working collaboratively to foster cooperation between Thailand and the host country. They integrate their efforts and drive Thailand's policies across diplomatic, economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions to achieve national goals and safeguard national interests. The "Team Thailand" in Japan includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Labour, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). The Prime Minister also envisions a "Team Thailand Plus" initiative to involve Thai private enterprises abroad in setting targets and driving economic and social development collaboratively. Economically, Japan is Thailand's third-largest trading partner, following China and the United States, with a total trade value exceeding 53.204 billion USD, accounting for 7.77% of Thailand's total international trade. In terms of investment, Japan remains the top foreign investor in Thailand, with accumulated investment projected to reach 184.741 billion THB in 2025. The BOI approved 248 investment projects from Japan valued at 67.158 billion THB this year, ranking fifth in terms of total approved foreign investment value. Key investment sectors include machinery and automotive, metal and material industries, and electrical appliances and electronics. In addition to the "Team Thailand" meeting, the Prime Minister also conveyed a message of encouragement to the Thai athletes participating in the Asian Games, emphasizing that regardless of the results, each athlete is a representative of Thailand striving to bring honor to the nation on the international stage and is a source of pride for all Thais. Source: INN News