Trade and investment opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs in the Middle East are improving with the region’s continuous economic growth, especially in Bahrain where consumers have confidence in and a preference for Thai products.

Mr Suphat Chitranukroh, an advisor to the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, said today that Bahrain is a country in the Middle East that has trade and investment significance for Thailand, as the two countries shared about 500 million US dollars trade value last year, with key export products from Thailand being jewellery and ornaments, farm products, refrigeration compressors, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and washing machines, while key import products from Bahrain were oil, metal ore, and metal scraps.

He said Bahrain is a market with great opportunities for Thai businesses, while Bahraini consumers have high purchasing power and have a preference for Thai products, such as food, spas, herbs, and cosmetics.

Thailand and Bahrain have always enjoyed close relations, with the Bahraini government setting up a goods distribution center specifically for Thailand, and serving as a shipment hub to other Middle Eastern countries.

Thai Mart Bahrain executive Akarawut Tangsirikusonwong said toay the total value of Thai exports to Bahrain this year will grow by no less than 30 percent from the previous year, adding that although Bahrain has a population of only two million, the country welcomes a big number of tourists and businesspersons, with seven million Saudi Arabian visitors each year alone. This creates good business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs.

He said the government should support Thai businesses regarding their trade and investment in Bahrain, to improve the market share of Thai products.