Wellington: The New Zealand Prime Minister held a meeting to discuss expanding Thai private sector involvement, promoting Central Group as a gateway for Thai-New Zealand trade, and joining Team Thailand to open up business opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul led a delegation of Thai private sector representatives to Australia and New Zealand to discuss economic diplomacy and explore real business opportunities. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held one-on-one discussions to further the long-standing relationship between Central Group and New Zealand, aiming to expand the role of retail from a point-of-sale system to a gateway connecting producers, brands, and consumers internationally. Mr. Supharat Chirathivat, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Central Group, joined the Thai private sector delegation on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's official visit to Australia and New Zealand, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the Secretary-General of the Board of Investment (BOI), and other Thai business representatives, to further open doors for trade, investment, and the creation of new economic partnerships for Thailand.
Mr. Supharat was invited for a one-on-one meeting with Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, during an official luncheon at Government House. This reflects the close and ongoing business relationship between New Zealand and Central Group. Behind this relationship is a long-standing collaboration, with Central Food Retail working with New Zealand to promote their products in the Thai market through the annual New Zealand Fair, providing a platform for New Zealand goods and products to reach Thai consumers. The relationship continues to grow, with Mr. Suthitham Chirathivat, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Central Group, previously discussing opportunities to expand cooperation with the New Zealand side, culminating in this high-level meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Mr. Supharat believes that the retail sector is playing a more significant role than simply being a point of sale for goods. Retail networks can function as gateways connecting producers, brands, entrepreneurs, and consumers across borders, and help transform government-level relationships into real business activity. "The key to economic diplomacy is how to turn good international relationships into tangible business opportunities. The government can open doors, but the private sector must help walk through those doors and transform opportunities into trade, investment, and entrepreneurial growth." For Central Group, its extensive business network and consumer base enable it to play a crucial role in connecting international trade opportunities, bringing quality products and brands to Thailand, and creating spaces and channels for entrepreneurs to access new consumers and markets more easily.
This participation of the Thai private sector delegation with the government reflects the spirit of "Team Thailand," where the government and business sector work together. The government fosters international relations, opens doors for dialogue, and builds trust, while the private sector leverages its networks, expertise, and business capabilities to generate commercial results. For Australia, this trip comes at a time of strong economic momentum between the two countries. Between 2021 and June 2026, 93 Australian investment projects have already applied for BOI investment promotion, totaling 33,425 million baht. The participation of leading Thai private sector representatives from various industries in this government delegation reflects their keen interest in exploring business opportunities between the two countries.
Mr. Supharat further stated that, amidst a changing global economy, building new alliances and expanding economic networks is increasingly important. Thai private sector companies should therefore view the Australian and New Zealand markets not only as export or import markets, but as Strategic Economic Partners capable of creating new long-term opportunities together. 'Today, we are not just looking at what we will buy or sell to each other, but at how we can leverage each country's strengths to create new value together. Central Group is ready to use our network and capabilities as a bridge to connect businesses and entrepreneurs, so that international relations can lead to real economic opportunities.' The discussions between Mr. Supharat and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon represent another step in the relationship between Central Group and New Zealand, reflecting the larger vision of the Thai government's mission in Australia and New Zealand, which aims to transform 'Economic Diplomacy' into 'Business O pportunity' and build new economic networks for Thailand in the long term.