The Industry Ministry has signed an agreement with Japan's Wakayama prefecture to form a trading collaboration and encourage business matching between the two countries.
Both governments aim to develop processed agriculture products and lacquerware after a Thai visit to view processed fruits at Sowa Kajuen, the industrial technology of the prefecture, as well as Kisyu Lacquerware Company.
The government plans to establish a lacquerware learning centre in Chiang Mai in September to offer innovation and technology that will support villagers improving their productivity and efficiency.
Permanent industry secretary Pasu Loharjun said the ministry has many cooperation projects with its Japanese counterparts for Industry 4.0 initiatives and industry connections.
The ministry has signed 21 agreements with 20 of Japan's prefectures to collaborate on many sectors. For example, Saitama wants to develop medical devices and electronics R&D for Honda Motor.
Akita is a base for auto and electronic components, while Shimane is set to focus on food, machinery and electronics components.
Kawasaki City in Kanagawa want to develop into an eco-town. Fukui will focus on eyeglasses and carbon fibre, while Toyoma targets housing medicine and precision machinery.
In 2017, Thailand and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry signed an agreement to cooperate and develop their business sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Both governments aim to improve SMEs' competitiveness through this pact.
The Board of Investment reported Japan has the most investment applications at 55 projects, totalling 26.9 billion baht, representing 20% of all foreign applications in the first quarter of 2019. Japan is Thailand's second largest trade partner, totalling 1.94 trillion baht in bilateral trade last year.
The ministry aims to develop robotics and human resources to help SMEs.