Thailand, EU Business Leaders Push for OECD Accession and Thailand-EU FTA

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with executives from more than 40 European companies today (July 16) at Government House during a meeting with the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Association for Business and Commerce. The discussions covered trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation between Thailand and the European Union.

Anutin said Europe remains one of Thailand's key economic partners and that continued investment by leading European companies reflects confidence in the country's long-term potential. He outlined the government's priorities of expanding digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, clean energy, transportation networks, and logistics, while improving the investment climate through the Thailand FastPass program, OECD accession, and progress toward the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement.

The prime minister also said the government is working to position Thailand as a regional hub for industries including semiconductors, digital technology, clean energy, life sciences, modern agriculture, and food production. He added that concluding the Thailand-EU FTA would expand market access for Thai products and create new opportunities for businesses.

Representatives of the European business community said Thailand remains an attractive investment destination because of its strategic location, manufacturing base, and skilled workforce. They also expressed support for Thailand's OECD membership and the Thailand-EU FTA while proposing closer cooperation in manufacturing, healthcare, food, finance, and the digital economy. The government also reaffirmed plans to simplify business procedures by updating more than 7,000 outdated laws and regulations.

Source: NBT World