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No doubt it was a special occasion, a defining moment, as the Thai-Swedish Chamber of Commerce (TSCC) launched its flagship 3-day exhibition connecting to its 25 Years Anniversary at CentralWorld on Friday 24 October 2014.
The date had finally arrived that would mark the highlight week for this auspicious year for the Chamber, twenty five years since His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Majesty Queen Silvia inaugurated this chamber in Bangkok back in 1989.
Highlighting Swedish innovation, Sweden’s Ambassador to Thailand, His Excellency Mr Klas Molin honoured the occasion by holding the opening speech, with attending VIP guests from several ministries in Thailand, as well as international business and trade organisations in, and representatives from the European Union and the business chamber community, in addition to many representatives from the participating brands and companies.
Sweden’s Ambassador began his speech by pointing out what a hallmark and good symbol of Thai-Swedish cooperation, TSCC constitutes.
“It’s a great, personal pleasure, an honour, to be here to witness also the exhibition which signifies – it’s only a sample but I think signifies – very much what Thai-Swedish trade, investment is all about,” he continued and went on to look back at and emphasize the long-lasting bounds and trade relations between the two countries.
“The visit by his Majesty the King Chulalongkorn Rama V to in Sweden in 1897 was an important generator, an incubator, if you will, of our relations in general but of trade in particular.”
“Relations between our countries begin and end with our people-to-people contacts, but trade is very much at the core of these relations. All other contacts as well as trade and investment contacts are continuing to prosper and as Ambassador of Sweden I’m very happy to make this point and note that very fact,” he continued.
The ambassador pointed out that the relations between the two countries have increasingly prospered and deepened since the chamber’s founding, and forecasted that Thailand and the region it is at the heart of what would be the centre for economic growth in the century to come.
“With this development, and responsibility even, comes growing demand for technologically advanced and environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions – for innovation. It means growing demand for business, for the increasingly educated public and for the growing numbers of demanding and selective customers. We, Swedes, naturally welcomes this for what it means for Thailand but also for the demand for Swedish products, Swedish solutions.”
This also means that Swedish investments in Thailand are on the increase and will continue increasing, he predicted.
“The companies you see represented here today all rely, I dare say, on innovation in their own way. Many are world leaders in their fields and many invest in assembly and production here in Thailand.”
The ambassador highlighted the largest investments in Thailand by Swedish companies (Volvo Group and Scania) in the past few years.
“Innovation is at the core of this joint success and it’s the ambition of the Chamber and of the participating companies to give you a taste of what Swedish innovation in Thailand is all about.”
“It’s also our joint ambition to increase and deepen an already existing dialogue on innovation between Thailand and Sweden. I want to thank the Chamber, its partners, but also all the Thai counterparts for showcasing this ambition here today.”
The ambassador also added in his opening remarks that he was very much looking forward to follow-ups between their respective governments, their companies, and their institutions not least on that very important topic in the future.
The other speakers at the opening ceremony were TSCC President Mr Jan Eriksson, Mr Piyabutr Cholvijarn, Board of Trade; and Mr. Suthipak Chirativat, Central Pattana.
The 25 Years Annniversary continues with a Gala Dinner event on Saturday evening, 25 October, at Landmark Hotel.
