The Russia-ASEAN Business Council and Russian-Thai Business Council conducted and held Russia-Thailand Business Forum, which took place on July 22, 2020 via videoconference. The event was attended by over 100 representatives of business and government authorities from Russia and Thailand.

Trade, economic and investment cooperation between Russia and Thailand was discussed within the framework of the forum as well as priority issues of interaction in such areas as mechanical engineering, information technology, tourism, banking, and food and forestry industries.

The discussion was moderated by Valery Barchenko, Chairman of the Russian-Thai Business Council. Mr. Barchenko noted in his speech that by holding this Russian-Thai Business Forum, is a good contribution to the strategic partnership of Russia with the ASEAN member states. Also he stressed that Thailand is one of the founding states of ASEAN and one of the largest economies of ASEAN”. He noted that business interaction between Russia and the ASEAN member states should be one of the priority vectors of Russia's foreign economic activity.

Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council in his welcoming speech noted that Russia, Thailand and ASEAN in general have taken active measures to support the economy, business and population in the context of spreading Covid-19 pandemic. In his opinion, the restoration of business activity between the countries, as well as the strengthening of mutual trust in the business environment and the investment climate of Russia and Thailand, are priority tasks for the business community of both countries.

Thanatip Upatising, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Russia, in his speech stressed that in modern conditions, largely due to the traditions of friendship, cooperation between Russia and Thailand is reaching a new level. “The pandemic is a test for all bilateral relations, and I am glad that Russian-Thai economic relations are strong enough, and both sides are focused on cooperation during this difficult time,” the ambassador said.

Yevgeny Tomikhin, Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand noted that Russia is carefully studying the possibilities of developing cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Economic Corridor program, which is one of the main priorities of the Thai government. According to his speech, Russian companies have significant interest in investment cooperation with Thailand within the framework of the EEC in such areas as transport, aerospace logistics, energy, pharmaceuticals, and finance.

Nikolay Milkis, Deputy Governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, made a presentation on investment opportunities of Russian regions for Thai partners. In his speech, he highlighted the high potential of cooperation in the field of the timber processing industry and energy, and also expressed the entity's readiness to provide the necessary support measures to Thai investors.

Presentations were also made by such companies as MIR National Payment Card System, Segezha Group, AgroWorld.Trade, Association of Russian Tour Operators, AMATA Corporation, EximBank Thailand, Board of Investment, Association of Thai Software Industry and others.