"Phumtham" signed an agreement on economic and trade cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan, opening the way for economic and trade cooperation in various fields of mutual benefit. It is also an important gateway to the Central Asian market with a population of over 80 million people. It revealed that it will also help create cooperation and participation of the private sector in trade promotion activities, including participation in trade exhibitions and business matching negotiations. Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, revealed after signing the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan between the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, with Mr. Arman Shakkhaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration, as the signatory on the Kazakh side at the EXPO International Exhibition Center that in the past 5 years (2019-2023), Thailand and Kazakhstan had an average total trade value of 3.5 b illion baht. In 2023, the total trade value was 5.2 billion baht, an increase of 26.28 percent from the previous year. Thailand exports cars and equipment, machinery, air conditioners, cosmetics, seasonings, etc. Thailand and Kazakhstan have always had good relations, and it is hoped that after the signing of the agreement, both countries will be able to develop and elevate their relations in terms of economy, trade, and investment to be even better. 'I am confident that after the signing of the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and Kazakhstan, which I am pleased that the Ministry of Commerce of both sides has discussed and reached a conclusion and signed during this visit, it will be an important starting point for both countries to discuss closely to develop economic and trade cooperation in various fields that are mutually beneficial and help increase trade, expand investment, and economic cooperation between each other in the future,' said Mr. Phumtham. In addition, he discuss ed with Mr. Arman Shakkhaliyev, Minister of Trade and Integration, that the cooperation will help promote private sector participation in trade promotion activities organized by each party, such as trade fairs and online business matching. Currently, the Office of International Trade Promotion in Moscow, which has Kazakhstan as its jurisdiction, is the operator. However, since the Ministry of Commerce sees the importance and potential in expanding trade with Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region, there is a plan to open an Office of International Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the near future and will continue to drive trade and economic cooperation between the two parties. Mr. Phumtham said that another important mission of this visit is to push for the start of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to reduce obstacles and increase trade and investment opportunities between the two regions, includ ing between Thailand and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is an important member in the decision-making process of the EAEU, with a total population of over 180 million people, so we ask for support from Kazakhstan in this matter. As for cooperation in tourism, which is important to the economies of both sides, the two sides signed an agreement on visa exemption to facilitate travel for tourists from both sides in April 2024, so it is hoped that this will help increase the number of tourists from both sides and benefit the economies of both sides in the future. Dr. Poj Aramwattananon, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, added about Thailand's opportunities in the Kazakhstan market that Kazakhstan is an important new market and is very interested in Thailand after the visa exemption. They have many important raw materials that can be sent for processing or Thailand can set up processing plants here to export to the Eurasian, Central Asian and Eastern European markets. Therefore, joining the trip with the Mi nistry of Commerce this time is an opportunity for Thai private companies to seek new markets. Source: Thai News Agency