During 2-3 March 2022, H.E. Mrs. Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, Ambassador of Thailand to Spain led a delegation of the Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid, to visit Bilbao and San Sebastian. The objective of this visit is to explore the possibility of promoting cooperation in business and other potential areas between Thailand and the two leading economic powerhouses of the Basque Country.

     In this occasion, Ambassador of Thailand met with authorities of both cities, namely, 1) Mr. Juan Mari Aburto, Mayor of Bilbao 2) Ms. María Ainhoa Ondarzabal Izaguirre, Director of Internationalization of SPRI-Basque Agency for Business Development (Basque Trade and Investment) 3) Mr. Ricardo Barkala Zumelzu, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao 4) Mr. José Ángel Corres, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Bilbao, 5) Mr. Eneko Goia Laso, Mayor of San Sebastian and 6) Mr. Pedro Esnaola Latasa, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Gipuzkoa.

     During the meetings, in addition to exchanging views and opinions on economic situation of Thailand and Spain, as well as discussing on how to strengthen economic, trade and investment and tourism between Thailand and both cities, Bilbao and San Sebastian, with their authorities, the Thai Ambassador took the opportunity to request the cities’ executives kind cooperation in supporting the Thai community in the areas.

     Moreover, the Thai delegation also visited Gipuzkoa Science and Technology Park and the premise of Vive Biotech, a company with expertise in gene therapy which is an advanced medical technology nowadays.