The Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, has big plans for promoting and supporting border trade and border checkpoints in 2023. The goal is to reach a target of 1.06 trillion baht in trade value. This is part of a development plan for Special Economic Zones, to increase border trade and investments with Thailand’s neighboring countries.

     In order to achieve this goal, the department plans to organize a series of Border Trade Fairs, covering three significant projects:

1. A Border Trade Fair in Sa Kaeo province, an economic development zone bordering Cambodia, organized in June 2023.
2. Another Border Trade Fair in Nong Khai province, a development zone near Laos, slated for July 2023.
3. And last but not least, a Border Trade Fair in Narathiwat province, an economic zone adjacent to Malaysia, penned for August 2023.

     These fairs will feature an exhibition and sale of products and services from both local and central businesses. This includes goods from OTOP (One Tambon One Product), SMEs, consumer goods, franchise products, and products from Thailand’s neighboring countries.

     There will be training sessions, seminars to provide knowledge to entrepreneurs, and tips on how to increase potential in foreign trade, understanding trade regulations, benefits, product origin certification, and trade measures. These sessions focus on creating a platform for Thai businesses to negotiate and establish partnerships with businesses from our neighboring countries. The aim is also to help Thai entrepreneurs gain knowledge on how to increase their competitive edge, expand their market, and build and extend their trade networks.

     By doing this, Thailand is expected to stimulate border trade and investments and foster economic expansion in provinces along the border and nearby areas.