First Belgian mission to Thailand since 2001

More than 100 Belgian firms will go to Thailand for a first economic mission in 12 years as Thailand enters negotiations for a free-trade agreement with the EU, the Bangkok Post reports. Headed by Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, the mission’s focus will be on four sectors: agro-food, alternative energy and energy efficiency, healthcare, and infrastructure and logistics, ambassador Marc Michielsen (pictured) said yesterday. Arriving next Monday, the mission will be only the second from Belgium since 2001, with about 150 executives from more than 100 firms taking part. “Belgium is a big exporter of agro products, and with the [Thai-EU] free-trade agreement coming up, Belgian companies can help if Thailand really wants to export,” said Michielsen. “You already have good infrastructure, but it will have to continue, because stopping is falling back.” The mission will include seminars on Thailand’s economy. Michielsen said Belgium’s crown prince had been presiding over economic missions to promote trade relations for 20 years. “If you’re a monarchy, it adds value, especially when you have a monarchy like Thailand’s,” said Michielsen. Philippe will visit Rayong’s Map Ta Phut industrial estate, which houses three Belgian-linked investments – Glow, Katoen Natie and Solvay SA. In 2011, Thailand ranked 41st among Belgium’s trading partners, between Algeria and Mexico. About 1,100 Belgian companies export to Thailand, while another 1,783 have shown an interest in the Thai market. In the first nine months of last year, Belgian exports to Thailand were worth €695 million, up 11.9% year-on-year. Precious stones and metals were the main export items, accounting for €197 million, followed by chemical products (€162 million) and machinery and equipment (€101 million). Belgium imported €946 million worth of goods from Thailand in the period, up 8.7% year-on-year.