The trade imbalance between Kenya and Thailand has been cited as an issue of concern, even as the two states deepen their diplomatic engagements.
The emerged during the Thailand National Celebrations on November 30 in Nairobi.
Agriculture PS Dr Paul Ronoh, who was the guest of honour, said the trade relations between the two states have a huge potential to expand as Kenya exports to Thailand only $28.8 million, compared to $140.1 million imports as of 2023.
“This is not reflective on where we should be as much as Kenya is serious in addressing the imbalance of trade,” the PS noted.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity website, the main products that Thailand exports to Kenya include raw sugar, delivery trucks and cars.
“Over the past five years the exports of Thailand to Kenya have increased at an annualized rate of 0.55%, from $241 million in 2017 to $249 million in 2022,” OEC says.
On the other hand, Kenya exports carbonates, precious stones, and titanium ore.
Between 2017 and 2022, Kenyan exports to Thailand decreased at an annualized rate of 8.62%, from $49.9 million in 2017 to $31.8 million in 2022, according to OEC.
In August 2024, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei urged Thailand Ambassador to Kenya Morakot Janemathukorn to have Thailand increase investments in Kenya and for the fast-tracking the second session of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation to further expand Kenya-Thai cooperation avenues.
“The hosting of the 2nd Session of the JCBC would provide a framework for increased collaboration, considering that the JCBC was established on 9th November 2005, with the inaugural session held in Nairobi in June 2010 and the 2nd Session set to be held in Thailand,” the ministry said in a statement in August.
Ambassador Janemathukorn said Thailand was ready to intensify the business engagements with Kenya’s private sector to enhance trade relations, as witnessed in May 2024, when a delegation of Kenyan entrepreneurs participated in the Thaifex Anuga Asia 2024 exhibition in Bangkok.
She also indicated Thailand’s plans to increase investments in Kenya, particularly in the hospitality sector.
DEPENDABLE PARTNER
PS Ronoh, however, noted that Kenya and Thailand enjoy close relations at both bilateral and multilateral levels since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in 1967.
He said Thailand has been a dependable partner in provision of technical and capacity development assistance in health, education and agriculture sectors.
“Kenya deeply appreciates the continued assistance through the Thailand-Kenya Agro-Technology Learning Center in Nyeri,” Ronoh said.
The Embassy of Thailand to Kenya on Saturday committed to deepening ties with Kenya, focusing on it 5Fs concept on Food, Fighting, Film, Fashion and Festivals.
Thailand Ambassador to Kenya Morakot Janemathukorn said they believe in cooperation with key focus on resilience, sustainability and inclusivity.
“Thais learn to be sustainable through three factors; moderation, reasonableness, and self-immunity incorporated into our daily lives both in the public and private spheres. While the focus is applied more on agriculture, we indeed have abundant creativities in other economic and social areas,” she said in Nairobi.
To support these engagements, Ambassador Janemathukorn said Thailand International Cooperation Agency held high-level meetings with the Kenyan government in September this year and will be followed by the Thailand-Africa Development Forum early next year.
COOPERATION AREAS
“The meetings and the Forum focus on the future collaboration in development cooperation for the years to come. Furthermore, the Embassy initiated a visit for the Kenya Medical Research Institute in order to share our successful policy on the application of Thai traditional and alternative medicine in the modern public health system, one of the most renowned in Asia,” she added.
Further, she noted that Thailand also invited, for the first time, BCG [Bio-Circular Green] -related companies from Thailand to explore potential cooperation with Kenya.
“On top of that, we are helping Kenya’s new generation to build new skills and capacities for alternative job opportunities on Thai cuisine and martial arts-related jobs in Kenya and beyond,” she added.
And as Kenya marks 60 years of its diplomacy, the envoy said Thailand is pleased to be part of Kenya’s success, and that they are on the right track to bring closer relationship and inclusivity for good causes, “especially in people-to-people connectivity”.
“Amazing Thailand is now meeting Magical Kenya. This year, we are sharing the secret recipe of our success in tourism, focusing on four of the aforementioned Thai “5Fs” concept to promote our culture to the world.
“Increasing public awareness by the Kenyan entrepreneurs and youngsters induces us to bring 3 some renowned Thai professionals from Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Lanna Fighting Muay Thai and Tee Sud Show, to share how to do some of those 5Fs well with the local ingredients,” she said.
Foreign Affairs ministry was represented by Ambassador Jane Makori, Deputy Director General at Asia and the Pacific Directorate.
