On 11th July 2023, Adjunct Professor, Pol. Col. Dr. Yongyut Sarasombat, President of the Thai - Middle East Economic Promotion Trade Association, along with his delegation paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Worawoot Pongprapapant, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduce their newly registered trade association and to discuss trade and investment opportunities in the Middle East.

On this occasion, both sides exchanged views and discussed trade and investment opportunities in various fields such as agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia and GCC countries, challenges and opportunities of doing business in Iran and Iraq. The Director-General expressed the readiness of the Department as well as the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulate-Generals in the Middle East region in supporting the Thai private sector to increase international trade and investment across the region. The Association expressed its interest to act as a bridge between public and private sectors, particularly to promote the relationship and cooperation with the Middle Eastern countries on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) promotion activities.