JTBF Mission to Thailand 2009 (2/23-2/27)

  Succeeding 2006, 2007 and 2008, this year (2009) also, Japan-Thailand Business Forum sent a mission to Thailand with following itinerary. Mission members was 12 in total. Members list is attached at the bottom.

JTBF Mission to Thailand 2009

reported by Teisuke Kitayama (Chairman of JTBF)

  JTBF sent a mission to Thailand in February this year. It was in the middle of so called centennial global recession. Asian region, which had been expected to be the engine of world growth, was also under a serious impact from the recession.

  First of all, I would express my heartiest appreciation to courtesies and assistances which were extended to our mission of this time.

  Early in the preparation stage, Ambassador Suvidhya Simaskul of Thai Royal Embassy Tokyo and his staffs advised and supported us to arrange critical appointments for our visit. Mr. Arsa Sarasin, Chairman of Padaeng Industry Public Co. Ltd., kindly invited us to the dinner reception at his residence during our stay in Bangkok. All our members enjoyed a splendid time with him and his guests. He also provided us with valuable advices when we met him at Thai Royal Embassy Tokyo in the beginning of February.

  During our 2 days stay in Bangkok, we had opportunities to visit Mr. Komachi, Japanese Ambassador to Kingdom of Thailand, as well as many other persons and parties. I would really appreciate that all of the meetings were quite informative and fruitful.

  Thai economy is under a sudden halt since the last fall. Thai Government, while it has come up with urgent fiscal/financial policies, is greatly expected to steer the economy towards a quick recovery of it.

  Needless to say, Japan and Thailand have a friendly relationship over 120 years and have contracted on EPA lately. Both countries keep a strong partner-ship, namely, export from Thailand to Japan is in the 2nd next to the United States, import from Japan is in the top, direct investment from Japan is in the top. It can be said that both countries are on the same boat.

  The current global crisis is attributed to multi-layered complex factors. It is like a highly complicated multi-equation problem. Solution could hardly be found without participation of all members. Cooperation across Japan and Thailand, as well as across ASEAN countries, Japan, China and Korea is expected to contribute to stabilization of the global economy.

  JTBF reaffirms its own objective of enhancing Japan-Thailand relationship. The objective will be even more meaningful under today's environment. Our members are determined to take advantage of our knowledge and experiences, acquired during this mission as well as in the past, to further enhance various committee activities, not only in the economic aspect but in the field of culture, education, environment control and so forth.

Snapshots at the Dinner reception hosted by Mr. Arsa Sarasin

Welcome dinner at Ambassador Komachi's residence

Members list

• Mr. Teisuke KITAYAMA, Chairman, President of Mitsui Sumitomo Financial Group & former General Manager of Sakura, Bangkok
• Mr. Hitomi MORITA, Vice Chairman, former President of Fujikura Thailand
• Mr. Taketoshi ARIKAWA, Vice Chairman, former President of Mitsubishi Thailand
• Mr. Yukio KATONO, Chief of Long Stay Committee, former President of Mitsubishi Electric Thailand
• Mr. Hiroshi MOTOMURA, Chief of Finance Committee, former General Manager of Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi , Bangkok
• Mr. Norio OKUMURA, Chief of Public Relations Committee, former President of IBM Storage Products Thailand
• Mr. Kazumasa MIZUTANI, Chief of Tourism Committee, former General Manager of JAL, Bangkok
• Mr. Riichi ISHII, Chief of Food Development Committee, former President of Marubeni Thailand
• Mr. Kanji KATO, Member of Long Stay Committee, former President of Fujitsu Thailand
• Mr. Kenichi YOSHIDA, Member of Educational Support Committee, former President of Mitsui Toatsu Chemical
• Mr. Takashi FUSE, Representative of Bangkok Branch, former President of Nissho-Iwai Thailand
• Mr. Hisashi SHINOZAKI, Secretary General, former President of Kanematsu Thailand