On April 26 – 28, 2023, the International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization) or ITD in cooperation with the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and the International Trade Centre (ITC) organized the Intensive Training Course on “Commercial Diplomacy and International Trade Negotiations” at the Jamjuree Room 1, M floor, Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.
The training session received welcome remarks from distinguished individuals, namely Mr. Jean-Sébastien Roure, Senior Adviser, Business and Trade Policy, Division of Market Development, International Trade Center (ITC), Dr. Rupa Chanda, Director, Trade, Investment and Innovation, UNESCAP), Ms. Buniga Chamsai, Deputy Director–General, Department of Trade Negotiations, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, and Mr. Manu Sithiprasasana Executive Director of ITD. The opening remarks were graciously presided over by Dr. Darmp Sukontasap, a Board member of ITD. Furthermore, the closing remarks and the certification ceremony were presided over by Mr. Ekachat Seetavoravat, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand.
During the event, the training course was attended by 29 participants from 8 countries of the Asia-Pacific region (e.g. Thailand, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Federation of Malaysia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal). The primary objective of this training course was to enhance the participants’ proficiency in the field of commercial diplomacy and international trade negotiations, encompassing both bilateral and multilateral contexts. The target audience for this course comprised trade negotiators, trade diplomats, commercial counselors, commercial attachés, trade representatives, commercial representatives, chamber of commerce members, consultants, as well as senior professionals from both the public and private sectors, all of whom possessed firsthand experience in international trade negotiations.
The training program encompassed several notable components, including the utilization of ESCAP Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Advisory (TINA), comprehensive discussions on current trade situation and trend, and the exploration of significant emerging trade issues such as climate change’s environmental aspects, labor considerations, and the impact of trade agreements on small and medium enterprises (SMEs and MSMEs). Additionally, the participants engaged in group work, negotiation exercises, and group presentations, fostering strategic foresight among lead negotiators. Furthermore, valuable insights were gained from shared experiences and perspectives of lead negotiators, culminating in a networking event where Mr. Natee Sithiprasasana delivered a special talk on “Insights on Leadership Challenges of Negotiations Strategy.”
The significance of this training lies in its role as a platform for international cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region. It aligns with Thailand’s commitment to fostering international collaboration for the development of trade negotiations, ultimately striving for sustainable economic and social dimensions.
