President U Min Aung Hlaing reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Thailand and invited Thai businesses to expand investments across a wide range of sectors during the Myanmar-Thailand Business Forum held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok yesterday. Thai Prime Minister Mr Anutin Charnvirakul also pledged to deepen bilateral economic ties, saying both governments would work closely with the private sector to boost trade and investment between the neighbouring countries.
The forum was attended by President U Min Aung Hlaing and members of the Myanmar high-level delegation accompanying him on his official visit to Thailand, Prime Minister Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, senior Thai government officials and business leaders from both countries. Upon arrival at the convention centre, the President and the Thai Prime Minister were welcomed by officials of the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Association and representatives of the business community. The event opened with welcome remarks by the presidents of the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Association and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Mr Anutin described Myanmar as one of Thailand’s key economic partners and said the two countries were ready to enter a new era of economic cooperation based on mutual trust, mutual respect and the shared interests of their peoples. He said Thai investments in Myanmar already span the energy, manufacturing, logistics, telecommunications, real estate and tourism sectors, which continue to provide a strong foundation for longterm economic growth. The Prime Minister added that both leaders had held productive discussions earlier in the day and confirmed that Thailand would host the Joint Trade Committee meeting later this year. He said Thailand would work towards increasing bilateral trade to US$12 billion, while encouraging closer cooperation between governments, business associations and the private sector to convert new opportunities into tangible economic outcomes. He described the forum as more than a platform for exchanging views, calling it the starting point for a new phase of government-private sector cooperation to shape the future of bilateral economic relations.
President U Min Aung Hlaing said it was an honour to address the forum, whose theme focused on opening a new chapter in promoting the Myanmar-Thailand economic partnership. He expressed confidence that stronger bilateral cooperation would enable both countries to better withstand global economic uncertainties while creating mutual benefits. The President noted that Myanmar and Thailand are not only neighbouring countries sharing long land and maritime borders but also close partners linked by common culture, traditions, religion and longstanding historical friendship. Diplomatic relations established in 1948 have now continued for 78 years, and bilateral ties were upgraded to a Natural Strategic Partnership in 2018.
He added that both countries continue to cooperate actively through regional frameworks, including ASEAN, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), BIMSTEC, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and ACMECS.
The President said Thailand remains one of Myanmar’s most important trading partners, with Myanmar exporting natural gas, agricultural produce, fisheries products and garments, while importing investment goods, machinery, vehicles, industrial products, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals from Thailand. Bilateral trade exceeded US$4 billion during the 2025-2026 financial year and surpassed US$1 billion by June of the 2026-2027 financial year. Since 2022, cumulative bilateral trade has reached more than US$20.758 billion, demonstrating the importance of cross-border commerce to both economies. He highlighted border trade routes through Myawady-Mae Sot and Tachilek-Mae Sai as vital economic corridors and called for closer cooperation to combat illegal cross-border trade, warning that illicit trade not only causes revenue losses but also allows substandard food and pharmaceutical products to enter markets.
The President also noted that Thailand is currently Myanmar’s fifth-largest foreign investor, with 103 investment projects worth more than US$4.605 billion, accounting for 6.3 per cent of total foreign investment in Myanmar. Thai investments cover agriculture, livestock, fisheries, mining, manufacturing, electricity, oil and gas, construction, transport and communications, hotels, industrial zones and services.
Highlighting Myanmar’s strategic geographical position linking East Asia, South-East Asia and South Asia, President U Min Aung Hlaing said the country offers significant opportunities for regional connectivity and trade. He pointed to the ongoing development of the Thilawa, Kyaukpyu and Dawei special economic zones and deep-sea ports, the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Asian Highway and railway networks as projects that will strengthen regional logistics and economic integration.
The President invited Thai investors to expand investment in energy infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, agroprocessing, renewable energy, education, healthcare, digital technology, fertilizer production, public transportation, electric vehicles, cement and steel manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, value-added rubber industries, logistics and border economic zones. He said the government continues to improve the investment climate by simplifying procedures, strengthening legal protections for investors, implementing intellectual property laws, promoting digital transformation through the Myanmar Digital Roadmap 2030, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and advancing projects such as the Yadanabon Cyber City located on about 10,000 acres of land. He emphasized that Myanmar welcomes Thai investors in order to contribute to trade, investment, border trade and regional economic linkages.
Following the forum, President U Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister Anutin posed for a commemorative photograph before touring exhibition booths showcasing businesses from both countries. Later, the President held separate meetings with representatives of Thai business groups at his hotel to discuss further measures to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
MNA/ST
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