Ambassador enhances economic cooperation between Thailand and Minnesota

On 25 May 2023, Ambassador Tanee Sangrat led a delegation from the Royal Thai Embassy, Washington, D.C. and Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago, to meet with Ms. Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office, and representatives from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation.

Ambassador Tanee emphasized the importance of Minnesota as Thailand’s significant trade partner and FDI destination. The bilateral trade between Thailand-Minnesota reached over 1 billion USD in 2022 and Thai companies have accumulatively invested more than 1 billion USD in Minnesota. Ms. Gerbaud highlighted the fast-growing development of Minnesota’s economy, becoming home to 16 corporations listed in the Fortune 500. Both sides were of the view that medical and food processing industries had strong potential for further collaboration and needed to be followed up in details.

During his visit to Minnesota, the Ambassador also took an opportunity to visit the R&D Center of Bellisio Foods while exchanging views with its management. Bellisio Foods is a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL and one of the largest frozen food producers in the US.