Rome hosts the third Italy-Thailand Business Forum

Rome - Over thirty top companies from Italy and Thailand contributed to the success of the third Italy-Thailand Business Forum, confirming the positive trend in the economic relations between the two countries. First established in 2015 following a proposal made by the Italian Ambassador in Bangkok, Francesco Saverio Nisio, and Isara Vongkusolkit, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce-Board of Trade of Thailand, the association of Thai entrepreneurs, the forum is the most important bilateral economic tool between the two countries, with a comprehensive annual turnover of nearly 500 billion dollars.

Ever since its inception, the Italy-Thai Business Forum has enjoyed the support of large groups from both countries, with a view to promoting trade and Investments. Following the first two informal meetings that took place in 2015 in Milan during Expo 2015, and at KohSamet in 2016, the event has become an institutional initiative upon the signing in Rome of a Memorandum of Understanding. The next Business Forum will take place in 2018 in Thailand. While in Italy, the Thai delegation had the opportunity of participating in the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of 'La Rinascente', Italy's major department store, which in 2011 was acquired by Thailand's Central Group, one of the world's largest department store operators.. It stands to represent the economic relations existing between Italy and Thailand.

Thai executives visited also the final assembly lines of Leonardo helicopters -an Italian centre of excellence and a major stakeholder in the global air and space, defense and security market. Moreover, Pirelli, one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers, invited the Thai delegation to visit the Orta Lake venues, highlighting the importance of civilian transport and tourism, which are two priority sectors within the framework of a bilateral cooperation, together with infrastructure, energy, automotive and commodities.