Hong Kong: Thailand’s participation in the 11th Belt and Road Summit (BRI Summit) in Hong Kong has opened new avenues for trade and investment, says Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce, who represented the country in a panel discussion and bilateral meetings.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Sept 9-10 event, Ms Kirida said the summit, designed as a platform for informal cooperation among Belt and Road countries, focused on infrastructure development including roads, rail and ports and increasingly on digital connectivity.
“The objectives are twofold: to bring countries together for dialogue, and to facilitate business matching, primarily with Chinese enterprises,” she said.
Thai officials engaged with counterparts from Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. “Thailand used the opportunity to push forward a pending free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka, already ratified in Bangkok but awaiting approval in Colombo. Thai companies also showcased products at exhibition booths, aiming to attract Chinese investors and expand exports,” she said.
Ms Kirida said Hong Kong acts as a global connector and financial and trading hub, but it lacks strong manufacturing and agriculture.
Thailand’s EEC, by contrast, is designed to upgrade the country’s industrial base into advanced, high-tech sectors. She said Hong Kong could serve as a bridge to the EEC, facilitating negotiations and trade flows.
“Hong Kong is not a competitor but a partner. They are the middleman, we are the producers. Together we can reinforce each other,” she said. As for the issue of cheap Chinese imports, she acknowledged the pressure on domestic producers but highlighted the benefits for consumers and Thai businesses. “Chinese products are cheaper at the same quality level, which disadvantages local manufacturers. But at the same time, Thai farmers and SMEs benefit from lower-cost machinery and inputs from China,” she said.
She urged Thai SMEs to focus on creativity and innovation rather than protectionism. “We should not rely on high tariffs or import bans. Instead, SMEs must differentiate, create products China cannot easily replicate.”
Cosmetics, skincare, snacks, and jewellery “are examples where Thai brands enjoy global trust and craftsmanship that China cannot match,” she said.
She said Thailand’s approach is to leverage every available channel — Hong Kong as a connector, China as a major market, and other global partners — while upgrading domestic industries to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.