Kota Kinabalu: The Mini Thailand Week 2023 kicked off here, Thursday, and is deemed to be instrumental in achieving Thailand-Malaysia’s shared bilateral trade target of US$30 billion by 2025.
Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, Lada Phumas, is confident that it can be achieved, with the first Mini Thailand Week in Sabah being a key component of the goal.
With over 70 Thai exhibitors and 88 brands bringing in products and services, it gives the opportunity for both Thai and Sabahan entrepreneurs to network and further strengthen bilateral ties.
“Thailand is here to support Sabah in promoting bilateral trade and investment, and also people-to-people connectivity in terms of culture and tourism.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more “Today, our Thai entrepreneurs as well as Malaysia-based distributors from the Food and Beverage, Food Innovations, Smart Farming, Lifestyle Products, Bio-Circular Green and Green and Food Processing sectors are in Sabah.
“We are certain that Mini Thailand Week will enhance trade and investment as well as Thailand-Sabah and Thailand-Malaysia cooperation.
“I would love to encourage buyers, manufacturers, producers, merchants, business partners, investors, as well as people from all walks of life to experience Mini Thailand Week 2023 which will be until Sept 24,” she said when officiating the Mini Thailand Week 2023 at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
State Industrial Development and Trade Minister Phoong Jin Zhe was also present.
Lada said Sabah is very significant as it serves as a gateway to link Thailand to the BIMP-EAGA, while Thailand could also bridge Sabah and Malaysia to countries in Indochina.
“While Sabah welcomes Thai investments and Thai products, especially goods and other agriculture-related products, likewise the Royal Thai Government welcomes trade and investments from Sabah and BIMP-EAGA.
“Our cooperation, especially in trade and investment, has grown from strength to strength.
“Looking ahead, we expect to have more Thai products here in Sabah and to welcoming our friends from Malaysia, Sabah and the BIMP-EAGA region to visit Thailand,” she said.
Meanwhile, Department of International Trade and Promotion (DITP Malaysia) Director Worawan Wanwil said the first day of Mini Thailand Week 2023 saw good response.
“The response on just the first day is beyond our expectations. I was informed that some booths have had their products sold out for today,” he said.
He added that the event is expected to garner some 35,000 visitors.
“We are expecting more business deals during the event. We are targeting to achieve more than RM55 million in business deals within these four days,” he said.
The Mini Thailand Week 2023 is jointly organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, DITP Malaysia Office and Tourism Authority of Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Office.
Running concurrently with the 2023 Sabah International Expo, it is also first Mini Thailand Week held in East Malaysia.
Beyond business and bilateral Thailand-Sabah trade, the event will also give Sabahans the opportunity to taste and see the rich tapestry of Thai culture and cuisines through live cooking demonstrations and traditional dance performances.
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