On Monday 22 April 2024, H.E. Kallayana Vipattipumiprates, Ambassador of Thailand to Canada, together with Mr. Nanthapol Sudbanthad, Director of BOI New York Office and delegation, kicked off a successful business roundtable in Montreal with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) along with Osler, a business law firm, and Sherpa, a consulting firm, to promote Canadian investment in Thailand. The Canada-ASEAN Business Council has been a promoter to seek opportunities for Canadian trade and investment and to help boost trade relations and business among partner countries in the ASEAN region. Participants at the roundtable included representatives of the Canadian private sector, government agencies, and academia interested in deepening ties with Thailand.

Ambassador Kallayana underscored the importance of enhancing relations between Thailand and Canada, the commitment to which was reaffirmed at the recent meeting between Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco last October. Furthermore, he updated the meeting on the progress of FTA negotiations between ASEAN and Canada which is expected to be completed next year. 

Director Nanthapol gave a presentation on investment opportunities in Thailand, emphasizing recent initiatives and policies to promote investment in Thailand which remains a key strategic hub for entry into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). He emphasized the effectiveness of BOI policies in reducing costs and leveraging on the advantages of the AEC’s eco-system and supply chain. He also stressed the advantages in the growing EV market and target industries in Thailand and the region as well as the new Landbridge Initiative which will link up the Pacific and Indian Oceans through land transportation links through Thailand, thus reducing transportation costs and time.

There was widespread interest in business opportunities in Thailand as a consequence of the new policy initiatives of the Thai Government that came into office last year. Participants had a lively discussion on how to expand and deepen linkages between Canada and Thailand, from trade and investment to academic cooperation including the setting up of academic training centers in Thailand. 

Following the roundtable, Director Nanthapol and the delegation had meetings with high-level representatives of National Bank of Canada, Mr. Vincent Joli-Coeur, Vice Chairman and Mr. Louis Vachon, Former CEO, and also visited Ubisoft Head Office in Montreal met with Mr. Adrien Perlinger, Conseiller, Affaires Corporatives Advisor to discuss potentials and opportunities for enhanced business links with Thailand.