On 29 September 2015, the Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid together with other ASEAN Embassies in Madrid organized the ASEAN Business Forum entitled “Business Opportunities in ASEAN” at the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce in the Basque Country. Major objective of the Forum is to raise awareness about ASEAN and disseminate information about ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 among business community in the Basque Country to promote trade and investment cooperation. The seminar was attended by around 70 representatives from the Spanish public and private sectors, as well as the media in the Basque Country.

Mr. José Ángel Corres, President of the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce delivered a welcoming remarks, giving an overview of ASEAN’s economic potential. This was followed by a presentation by H.E. Mrs. Busaya Mathelin, Ambassador of Thailand, providing an update on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Thailand’s key economic policies such as new investment promotion policy, infrastructure development strategy, and policy to promote special economic zones (SEZs), as well as Thailand’s potential as gateway to ASEAN, focusing on connectivity within the AEC with Thailand strategically located at the centre of region.  Other Ambassadors /representatives from ASEAN embassies (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam) also gave presentations on trade and investment opportunities in their respective countries. Representatives from 3 companies (TISCO, TAMOIN and Antonio Viñal & Co Asociados) were also invited to share their company’s business experiences in ASEAN.

One-on-one meetings between Economic Counselors from ASEAN embassies and Basque businessmen were also arranged for further consultation on business opportunities in ASEAN.