On 22 and 25 February 2016 H.E. Mr. Chirachai Punkrasin, Ambassador, attended a seminar focusing on the benefits of investing in Thailand for agribusiness, agro-industry and livestock, organized by the Thailand Board of Investment, Sydney Office, in Perth under the theme ‘Western Australia – Thailand emerging beef supply chains for Asia’ and in Toowoomba under the theme ‘Australia – Thailand emerging agribusiness supply chains for Asia’, respectively. The seminar focused on the benefits of relocating or expanding business to Thailand to reap the benefits of lower operational costs whilst retaining the high quality production output, as well as the locational advantages. Thailand is the hub of the ASEAN Region making it logistically effective to distribute goods within the region, including China and India. Each seminar was attended by around 30 participants. Ambassador also announced to the participants, inviting interested investors to join a business trip to Thailand organized by the Embassy and BOI office in May 2016 to further explore the existing opportunities and benefits of investing in Thailand.  

 

            During the trip, the Ambassador also met with Professor Alice Woodhead of the University of Southern Queensland and a board member of the Australian-ASEAN Council. Various initiatives were discussed including the possibility of building a network of universities from Thailand or ASEAN Region and USQ in areas of research relating to agriculture. Ambassador also met with members of the Thai student society of Queensland in Brisbane, coming from University of Queensland, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology. A study visit was also conducted at the Brisbane fresh produce market with Carter & Spencer Group, as well as a short visit to a prawn farm near Gold Coast, where technical staff from Thailand are employed.