Bangkok: The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the swift response from French private sector representatives following his visit to Paris, highlighting their interest in expanding investment in Thailand's future industries.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul engaged in discussions with Mr. Fran§ois Corbin, Vice President of MEDEF International (MEDEFi) and President of the French-Thai Business Council. The discussions also included Heir Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, Ambassador of the Republic of France to Thailand, and a delegation of 16 MEDEFi companies representing sectors such as aviation, aerospace and defense, engineering and consulting, construction and transportation, digital and technology, and energy production and management. This meeting was a follow-up to the Prime Minister's recent visit to Paris.
The primary aim of these discussions was to attract new investments to Thailand, focusing on future industries like aerospace, clean energy, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology. The initiative aims to create quality jobs, boost income, enhance Thai workers' skills, and foster concrete investment and cooperation in Thailand.
The Prime Minister emphasized Thailand's strategic move towards an economy driven by innovation, technology, and high-value industries. This is in alignment with the French business sector's expertise, offering a significant opportunity for investment, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange in Thailand.
French companies have shown confidence in Thailand's potential, expressing interest in key projects such as aircraft maintenance centers, sustainable aviation fuel production, clean energy systems, and advanced digital technologies. They are committed not only to investing but also to transferring technology and developing Thai human resources.
During the discussions, several prominent French companies expressed their interest in expanding cooperation with Thailand. Airbus, for instance, sees the potential for Thailand to become a regional aviation hub and is interested in developing an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center, alongside sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This would create highly skilled jobs, enhance opportunities for Thai businesses, and elevate the country's aviation industry.
EDF, a major French energy company, is exploring collaboration opportunities in developing clean energy, energy storage systems, and modern power grids to support industrial growth and future energy needs, thus enhancing energy security and supporting Thailand's transition to a green economy.
Additionally, Dassault Syst¨mes proposed collaboration on Digital Twin technology, applicable to urban planning, infrastructure management, disaster forecasting and response, and workforce skills development. This technology would enable efficient resource management in both public and private sectors.
Pasqal, a leading French quantum technology company, recognizes Thailand's potential to become a quantum technology hub in Southeast Asia and is ready to cooperate in establishing a quantum computing ecosystem. This initiative aims to generate highly skilled personnel to support future technology industries, boosting the country's long-term competitiveness.
Apart from investments, the French business sector emphasized its readiness to transfer technology, develop workforce skills, and collaborate with Thai universities and educational institutions to create a new generation of personnel suited for future industries. This collaboration will directly benefit Thais in terms of education, employment, and income.
Concluding the discussions, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering a favorable investment environment and advancing the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and OECD membership to elevate Thai economic standards, open new trade opportunities, and build global investor confidence.
The Prime Minister also shared encouraging news regarding the stock market, which surpassed 1,600 points for the first time in over three years, reflecting investor confidence. He noted that the discussions in Bangkok demonstrated the evolution of cooperation initiated in Paris into concrete ideas, opportunities, and partnerships. Thailand is prepared to work closely with the French private sector to transform these interests into tangible long-term results.