Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is leading a high-level ministry delegation to Kazakhstan during Aug 13-18 to promote bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.
Kazakhstan is Thailand's second-largest trade partner in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Mr Phumtham expressed optimism about Kazakhstan's potential, given its sizeable population of 190 million and high purchasing power.
Kazakhstan has the second largest GDP share of the Commonwealth of Independent States after Russia.
The country is the second largest of the former Soviet republics by land area and the world's largest landlocked country, with vast natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas and uranium.
Kazakhstan's location in Central Asia holds not only economic, but also geopolitical significance for the world economy, he said.
It also plays an active role in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation through its support for joint Islamic action even though it does not belong to a single Muslim political space.
Kazakhstan, in particular, has become a vital transport and logistics hub in Eurasia which includes Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
"The main objective of the visit is to expand export opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs as Kazakhstan, Thailand's largest trading partner in Central Asia, presents Thai businesses with opportunities for trade and investment as well as a gateway to other countries of Central Asia and the EAEU," Mr Phumtham said.
"In the past, few Thai products have entered the Kazakh market as they are being exported through Russia and India. It is anticipated that direct export would boost the trade value between Thailand and Kazakhstan."
During his visit, Mr Phumtham is scheduled to meet Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to discuss ways to promote bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, particularly trade and investment.
He will also meet Mirgali Kunayev, the honorary consul for Thailand in Kazakhstan, and Chatchawan Sakornsin, the Thai ambassador to Kazakhstan, to discuss the possibility of opening a foreign trade promotion office in Kazakhstan.
Furthermore, Mr Phumtham will also meet executives of Damu Logistics, the leading operator of industrial logistics centres in Central Asia, to share experiences, viewpoints and recommendations regarding the transportation route of Thai export products to Kazakhstan.
Mr Phumtham will also present the Thai SELECT certificate to Bangkok Thai Cafe in Almaty and visit Pattaya SPA, a prototype Thai SELECT store in Kazakhstan, showcasing rejuvenating products which promote Thai soft power.
He will also explore the local market to see what products are in high demand and have the potential for export.
