Thai trade delegation heads for talks with SA importers

With a history of over 25 years of cordial diplomatic relations and rapidly growing trade ties, Thailand is South Africa’s 9th largest trading partner, and its biggest trading partner in the ASEAN region, while South Africa is Thailand's largest trading partner on the African continent. Bilateral trade volumes have increased steadily in recent years, topping $3.2 billion in 2017. In the first six months of 2019 alone, Thailand’s exports into South Africa topped $1,361 million.

Thailand is recording rapid economic development and export growth, and has become one of the world’s top 20 export economies on the back of investment in advanced technology and research to continually improve the quality of its products, as well as a skilled workforce, competitively-priced products and an advanced infrastructure. Among its key exports are refined petroleum, rubber, rice, sugar, gold, computers and integrated circuits, vehicles, telephones and jewellery. Thailand’s food sector, accounting for 23% of the country’s GDP, boasts one of the most advanced food processing industries in Southeast Asia, with top food exports including rice, canned tuna, sugar, meat, cassava products, and canned pineapple.

The delegation set to visit South Africa this month will be headed by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, and will include 33 leading producers and exporters of food & beverages, construction materials & hardware, agricultural equipment & machinery, automotive parts & accessories, electrical appliances, and pharmaceuticals.

Among the products to be showcased are:

Food & beverages

Coconut products; dried and processed fruits; instant and rice noodles; cakes and candies; teas, coffees and beverages; sauces, pastes and seasonings; tapioca starch and flour; canned fish products; and rice products.

Construction materials & hardware

Sealants and silicone; construction putty and adhesives; aerosol paints; fasteners & locks; bolts; pre-stressed concrete wire, low-to-high carbon wire; shade and agricultural netting; sanitary ware; and board cement bonded particle board.

Agricultural equipment & machinery

Engines; generators; water pumps; brush cutters and power sprayers.

Automotive parts & accessories

Steering/suspension ball Joints; tie rod ends; rack ends; stabilizer links; centre links; and Pit Man ATMs.

Electrical appliances

Fridges and freezers; coolers; and cooling systems for delivery and street vending.

Pharmaceuticals

Baby Gels and Syrups

The delegation will be holding one-on-one B2B meetings in Rivonia, Johannesburg on Tuesday 27th August. To arrange a meeting with these Thai companies, please contact Sue Bowden indicating products of interest. Contact 011 728 5878 or email: az.oc.ofniacirfa@eus