On 8 March 2017, the Department of International Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, held a MFA CEO Forum with Airbus, the first event in a series to being held in 2017. The forum brought over 300 participants from the diplomatic corps, government agencies, leading companies, academia as well as other related stakeholders from all sectors to hear perspectives from the world class CEO of Airbus. As the guest speaker, Mr. Fabrice Brégier, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft & Chief Operating Officer of Airbus, delivered his insightful presentation on the topic of “Airbus Vision for Aviation in the Region and Thailand's Role".

 

The forum provided a unique opportunity for the participants to hear from one of the world’s premier aircraft manufacturers on the business plan and strategy for the development of the aviation industry in Thailand and the region. Significantly, the visit by the Airbus executive to Thailand also reflects the business opportunities this country can provide as an attractive and preferred investment destination as the future regional “aeropolis” forming part of the ‘New Engine of Growth’ under the government’s policy, Thailand 4.0.

 

Since its inception in February 2016, the MFA CEO Forum has been successfully held as a new platform to showcase Thailand’s economic potential among Ambassadors and the diplomatic corps as well as foreign investors. The previously invited CEOs include SCG, True Corporation, Siam Piwat, PTT, Italthai Group, and Minor International PCL. The Forum also organizes a special series that invites world class CEOs such as Mr. Jack Ma, President and CEO of Aliba, to illustrate Thailand’s character as a regional hub for next generation industries under the Thailand 4.0 model.