A recent Australia Southeast Asia Business Exchange mission to Thailand showcased Australia’s extensive green economy capabilities.
Led by Peter Fox, Linfox Executive Chairman and Business Champion for Thailand, the mission explored trade and partnership opportunities with Thai businesses and government. Mr Fox was accompanied by 25 delegates from 17 Australian companies.
The mission highlighted Australia’s capabilities in agtech, smart cities and green skills in line with the Thai Government’s priority areas for decarbonisation, including the agricultural and building sectors.
The program was anchored by Thailand’s Sustainability Expo 2024, ASEAN’s largest sustainability trade show. The event attracts over 700,000 visitors.
‘Australia is well known for our green credentials and has invested heavily in this space,’ says Jay Meek, Austrade’s General Manager for Trade. ‘That is one of the reasons why we have companies coming here to Thailand – to see how we can work on opportunities together and help each other progress and become more productive and sustainable.’
The delegation with the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Angela Macdonald, PSM (1st row, centre), Linfox Executive Chairman and Business Champion for Thailand, Peter Fox (8th from left) and the Austrade team at the Sustainability Expo 2024.
Showcasing Australia’s green economy capabilities
Over the 3 days of the mission, Austrade facilitated 120 business meetings with Thai conglomerates and leading corporates in Thailand looking for partnerships across agtech, smart cities and green skills.
Delegates attended 3 networking events, including:
- an agtech and green skills networking lunch
- AustCham Thailand Sundowners networking function
- networking reception at the Australian Ambassador’s residence with key Thai customers.
They also attended an agriculture seminar given by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on Australia’s pathway towards decarbonisation.
The Australian Pavilion served as an anchor point for the mission’s presence at the Sustainability Expo. Delegates took part in pitching opportunities at the expo, as well as at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) office of the governor.
A highlight for delegates was site visits to 4 green economy projects including:
- One Bangkok, one of Thailand’s largest urban developments is incorporating state-of-the-art green technologies
- Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen’s Rice Science Centre, an agricultural innovation and education hub
- Food Innopolis, the Thai Government’s food innovation hub promotes food research and development
- Loxley, a Thai conglomerate known for rice exports and now a diversified business across agriculture, energy and IT.
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