Thai ambassador spots ‘huge’ trade potential with Jordan

AMMAN — Thailand is Jordan’s largest trading partner among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, and potential remains “huge” for further growth, according to Thai Ambassador to Jordan Pornpong Kanittanon.

Bilateral trade exchange, which is in favour of Thailand, stands at about JD130 million, the ambassador said in a recent interview with The Jordan Times on the occasion of Thailand’s national day, which the embassy marked on Thursday, noting that increasing the volume of trade exchange requires more promotion and business to business networking.

“There is large room for boosting trade exchange,” he said. 

The ambassador, who noted that Thailand is a large importer of potash, phosphate and fertilisers as it has a “large and growing agricultural sector“, indicated that increased efforts are required by Jordan to promote further cooperation in this field and explore the Thai market.

Stressing that the two countries enjoy "distinguished relations" on the political level, he highlighted cooperation in the field of security as one of the key aspects of the relationship between the two countries, commending Jordan’s role in the war on terrorism.

Thailand, he continued, supports the Aqaba Process meetings, which "provide an important platform for exchanging experience and viewpoints and enhancing cooperation in the field of security". He also voiced appreciation for Jordan’s support to Thailand at the Organisation of Islamic Countries.

On tourism, the ambassador said the number of Thai tourists to Jordan is “on the rise”, noting that more than 10,000 Thai tourists visit Jordan every year and more than 12,000 Jordanians visit Thailand each year.