(Communicated by the Foreign Media Advisor to the Ministry of Economy)

A delegation of 20 senior business people from Thailand's Industrial Association arrived (June 15, 2015) for a working visit in Israel, to examine Israeli technologies in various fields, such as ICT, packaging, medicine and energy. The business delegation arrived alongside another delegation of 16 representatives of the Thai Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Science & Technology.
 
The visit was initiated and organized by the Thai Embassy in Israel and the Trade Mission of the Israeli Ministry of Economy in Bangkok. It is co-sponsored by the Israeli Export Institute, the Israeli Industrial Association and the Israel Chamber of Commerce.
 
Leading the Thai delegation is chairman of the Thai Industrial Association, who is also owner of ICT company Synnex, a lawmaker at the National Legislative Assembly and once of the most influential individuals in the Thai economy. The delegation also includes senior businesspeople, including owners and senior managers from Thai mega-companies, such as PFP, SCG, Greater Pharma, Southern Group, Indorama and others.
 
Barak Sharabi, Head of the Israeli Ministry of Economy's Trade Mission in Bangkok:

"This is a unique visit to Israel by a large and high-profile delegation from Thailand, one of the central economies in Southeast Asia. Thailand is one of the most productive countries in the world and the business community there set a goal of upgrading its existing manufacturing capabilities and developing capabilities in other fields in order to maintain its position as regional leader. There is great appreciation in Thailand for Israel's technological capabilities and the arrival of a delegation at this level of importance reflects the potential the business sector sees in leveraging Israeli tech in the Thai market to give it a competitive edge.

The Thai are currently in the advanced stage of improving capabilities ahead of the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, expected to be launched in 2015. This visit is part of the trade mission's extensive work with the Thailand Industrial Association and we hope the Thai will greatly benefit from the visit and from being introduced to the experience and knowledge Israeli companies can bring them."
 
Exports to Thailand during 2014 stood at $500 million, while imports reached $650 million. The Israeli Ministry of Economy's Head of Trade Mission in Thailand, Barak Sharabi, has an office in the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok, and works to promote Israeli exports and to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.