Thailand and South Africa Strengthen Bilateral Ties through Trade Talks
23 January 2024
In a series of high-level meetings, Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, engaged in bilateral discussions with South African officials, emphasizing the commitment to enhance relations and promote trade and investment between the two nations.
During talks with Mr. Alvin Botes, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, both sides expressed their dedication to fostering bilateral and multilateral ties. Deputy Minister Sangmanee sought South Africa's support for establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Additionally, he requested support for Thai companies investing in South Africa. In response, Deputy Minister Botes highlighted South Africa's aim to boost exports to Thailand and encouraged Thai private sectors to invest in his country.
In another meeting, Deputy Minister Sangmanee engaged with representatives from South African importers of Thai products, including Market Kokoro of Wemaco Holdings Ltd and Dingho Company. Discussions focused on the potential of the South African market, identifying Thai products with export potential, and addressing challenges faced by Thai product importers. Both sides agreed that the establishment of an FTA between Thailand and SACU would facilitate smoother import-export processes and enhance Thai product exports to South Africa.
Market Kokoro, a well-known Asian supermarket with branches in Pretoria and Johannesburg, specializes in importing Korean, Japanese, and Thai products. Dingho Company, the largest Asian food and ingredients importer in South Africa, distributes products to supermarkets and Asian restaurants across the country.
In a separate bilateral meeting with Mr. Fikile Majola, Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition of South Africa, both sides expressed satisfaction with their status as significant trading partners. The officials pledged to maintain and double bilateral trade volumes. Deputy Minister Sangmanee updated his South African counterpart on the request to export South African apples to Thailand. Thai agencies are scheduled to visit South Africa in March 2024 for a quality evaluation, while Thailand is working on a work plan to export mangosteen and longan to South Africa.
The South African side expressed support for the establishment of an FTA between Thailand and SACU and readiness to participate in the 6th meeting of the Joint Trade Committee between Thailand and South Africa, to be hosted by Thailand later this year.
TDS