Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has engaged in high-level talks with the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate to bolster trade and investment, focusing on smart agriculture and the expedited conclusion of the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce, met today with Daniela Schmitt, the Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Minister Schmitt is leading a business delegation to Thailand to explore emerging opportunities in the region. Rhineland-Palatinate holds significant economic weight as Germany’s seventh-largest state by GDP. It is a global hub for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and viticulture.
According to Vuttikrai, the discussions centered on integrating advanced technology into the agricultural sector, with both parties exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and smart farming innovations to increase overall efficiency.
Other potential collaborations include strategic industry matching, such as pairing Thai food producers with German wines and expanding the chemical industry, notably through ties with the Rhineland-Palatinate-based giant BASF.
Furthermore, the Thai side emphasised the nation’s stability and its strategic position as an ASEAN investment hub, inviting German firms to explore opportunities within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), particularly in the high-tech, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors.
High on the agenda for the meeting was the progress of the Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement. Both sides reaffirmed the need to accelerate negotiations.
Thailand requested Germany's support in fast-tracking the deal, which is expected to provide a substantial economic boost to both Thailand and the European Union.
To solidify ties further, the Ministry of Commerce invited the German delegation to participate in THAIFEX-ANUGA Asia, taking place from May 26 to 30, 2026, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.
Thailand also plans to showcase its potential at the Thai Pavilion during ANUGA 2027 in Cologne, Germany.
Germany continues to hold its position as Thailand’s primary trading partner within the EU, with bilateral trade reaching US$11.6 billion in 2025.
This was comprised of US$5.73 billion in exports from Thailand to Germany and US$5.86 billion in imports from Germany.
Regarding the key trade commodities, Thailand’s major exports to Germany primarily consist of computers, equipment and components, followed by gems and jewelry, integrated circuits, machinery, mechanical parts and rubber products.
Meanwhile, the primary imports from Germany are dominated by machinery and parts, medical and pharmaceutical products, chemicals, electrical machinery, components and scientific and medical equipment.
