JTBF Mission to Thailand 2010 (2/01-2/04)

Succeeding 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, this year (2010) 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 2010

reported by Teisuke Kitayama (Chairman of JTBF)

JTBF sent a mission to Thailand this year also consisting of 12 members. First of all, we would express our heartiest appreciation to courtesies and assistances which were extended to our mission by Thai Royal Embassy Tokyo. 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 and appreciated a valuable opportunity of meeting with leading members of Thailand and old friends, Thai and Japanese. We also appreciated hospitality of Mr. Komachi, Japanese Ambassador to Kingdom of Thailand. He kindly shared a dinner time with us in spite of his busy schedule.

When we sent a mission to Thailand a year ago, it was in the midst of chaos caused by so called centennial global recession. In every country, government and central bank had to put highest priority on large scale financial actions, such as increase of public spending, to sustain the economy. One year has passed since then. World economy has turned to gradual stabilization since last spring, trending to positive growth even though it is still low level.

In Thailand, negative growth was unavoidable in 2009. In 2010, while growth of 3.5～5.0％ is expected, financial actions may be still required. From now on, all countries will look for the best timing to withdraw financial actions which have been taken since the last year. It is a difficult task because it should not be too early, nor too late. The action must be concerted with other countries also.

While Japanese enterprises or business communities are shifting their emphasis towards Asia, further enhancement of cooperation across Japan and Thailand will be regarded even more important. It will be an honor and pleasure of JTBF, the Thai favored, if we could help drive a closer relationship. We also expect Thai Embassy's continuous support for JTBF.

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. Kazuo KIKKAWA, Vice Chairman, former President of Tomen Thailand
• Mr. Riichi ISHII, Chief of Food Development Committee, former President of Marubeni Thailand
• Mr. Hiroshi MOTOMURA, Chief of Finance Committee, former General Manager of Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi, Bangkok
• Mr. Kazuhiko WATANABE, Chief of GMS & EPA Committee, former President of Oji Paper Thailand
• Mr. Takashi FUSE, Representative of JTBF Bangkok Branch, former President of Nissho-Iwai 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. Masakazu OKAMOTO, President of Y.M.P.(Thailand)Co.,Ltd.
• Mr. Masakazu SAIJO, former President of Shindengen Thailand
• Ms. Rawipun Daengthongdee, Vice President of Thai Military Bank