On 22 January 2024, H.E. Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Fikile Majola, Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition of the Republic of South Africa, in Pretoria during his visit to the Republic of South Africa.

Both sides were pleased that they remained each other’s most significant trading partner and agreed to retain this status and double bilateral trade volumes.

DFM updated his South African counterpart on the request for exporting South African apple to Thailand. The Thai agencies concerned are scheduled to visit South Africa in March 2024 to proceed quality evaluation on the South African apple while the Thai side is working on the work plan to export mangosteen and longan to South Africa.

On this occasion, the South African side agreed to support the establishment of FTA between Thailand and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and expressed readiness to participate in the 6th meeting of the Joint Trade Committee between Thailand and South Africa to be hosted by Thailand this year.