On April 21st 2015, from 10.45 to 13.00 hrs., Ambassador Nopadol Gunavibool, along with Mrs. Arunrung Phothong Humphreys Minister Counsellor (Bilateral Section), Mr. Supark Prongthura Minister Counsellor (EU Section), and officials at the Royal Thai Embassy and Mission of Thailand to the EU in Brussels, visited Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global 2015. With 1,700 participating companies from 75 countries, Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global are the world’s biggest trade exhibition for seafood industry. In an effort to maintain and expand the market for Thai seafood products, the Department of International Trade Promotion and Thai Trade Centre in The Hague jointly organised an outgoing mission, comprising 9 Thai seafood businesses and the Thai Frozen Foods Association, to exhibit Thailand’s seafood products and meet with potential buyers and business partners. During the visit, the Ambassador was given a guided tour of the Thai Pavilion and exhibitions of other participating Thai seafood exporters, namely CP Foods (CPF) and Thai Union Frozen Producst (TUF), by Miss Supawadee Yamgamo, Minister Counsellor (Commercial) and Director of Thai Trade Centre in The Hague, and participated in a Thai cooking demonstration for the visitors.
Then, at 15.30 – 18.00 hrs., Ambassador Nopadol, Mrs Chulamanee Chartsuwan Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, and other officials at the Royal Thai Embassy, attended a seminar presentation, organised by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the Mission of Thailand to the EU, “Thailand’s Effort in Combating IUU Fishing and Human Trafficking,” also at the venue of Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global. The Ambassador gave the opening remarks to the seminar, and Pol.Gen. Chatchawal Suksomjit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Dr. Waraporn Prompoj, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, and Dr Chanintr Chalisarapong, President of Thai Tuna Industry Association, respectively gave keynote presentations on the progress of Thailand’s efforts to the audience of approximately 250 participants.
After the visit to the Seafood Expo, the Ambassador hosted a dinner for the Thai exhibitors who participated in this year’s expo and gave an interview to members of the press from Thailand. The Ambassador also hosted a dinner for the press, which was followed by a Q&A session in which Ms. Pimchanok Vonkhorporn Minister (Commercial) and Head of Office of Commercial Affairs in Brussels, Miss Supawadee Yamgamo, and Ms. Adhinand Indrapim Assistant Attaché (Agriculture) also answered various questions from the press.
