During 31 May - 2 June 2021, the Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen, in collaboration with Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), has organized a webinar series entitled “Thai - Danish Cooperation on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model”. The webinar series consist of 3 sessions including (1) Policy-maker Session (2) Business and Investment Session and (3) Business Case Session.

The purpose of the webinar is to bring together key stakeholders from Thailand and Denmark to exchange experience and knowledge as well as to promote new business and investment partnership in the BCG-related industries. It is one of the activities to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of the first contact between Thailand and Denmark in 2021.

Denmark is one of the global front runners in the Bio-Circular-Green Economy. It is a food and farming country that has successfully transformed from traditional practices to modern production that uses technology and innovation to increase efficiency and high value. It is also known for its strong commitment to green transition and sustainability. This is in line with the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model which has been declared by the Royal Thai Government as a national agenda in 2021 to promote inclusive and sustainable growth by seeking to capitalize on Thailand’s biodiversity, strengthening the capacity of local communities and optimizing the use of new technology and innovation. The four targeted industries under the BCG are agriculture and food; medical and wellness; bioenergy, biomaterial and biochemical; and tourism and creative economy.  The BCG Economy model therefore presents an area of mutual interest and opportunities for fruitful collaboration between Thailand and Denmark.

The policy-maker session on 31 May 2021 was opened with remarks by Mr. Thanapoom Rimchala, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Royal Thai Embassy in Copenhagen and H.E. Mr. Jon Thorgaard, Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand, to mark the 400^th anniversary of the first contact between the two countries this year. Key stakeholders from the Danish government, regional administration, public-private partnership, business sector and research community shared their experience and lesson learnt in Denmark’s path to circular bio-economy and its green ambition. An overview of Thailand’s BCG Economy Model and its Roadmap for Circular Economy were also be presented by NSTDA and NXPO. Both sides discussed on how different stakeholders can work together effectively in the BCG Economy as well as possible collaborations between Thailand and Denmark to drive the BCG Economy forward.

In the Business and Investment Session on 1 June 2021, Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, BOI Secretary-General as well as Dr. Luxmon Attapich, Deputy Secretary-General of the EEC and Dr.  Janekrishna Kanatharana, Executive Director of EECi gave their presentations on business opportunities and support measures as well as existing infrastructure available for foreign investors in the BCG related industries. Representatives of Danish businesses also shared their perspectives on the BCG opportunities in Thailand as well as their experience in doing business in Thailand.

Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary-General of the EEC, and Mr. Claus Rasmussen, President of the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce gave the opening remarks at the Business Case Session on 2 June 2021. This session brought together Thai and Danish companies in the BCG-related industries to exchange ideas and new solutions, with an aim to inspire new business partnerships between the two sides. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) presented the BioCNG Program in Thailand supported by the government of Denmark and opportunities for Thai-Danish collaboration within the waste-to-energy sector. The Danish companies presenting their BCG solutions in this session included BWSC, Novozymes, Chr.Hansen and Danfoss while Mitr Phol Group and Bangchak Corporation represented the Thai companies.

This webinar series was supported by organisations from both sides, namely NSTDA, BOI, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangkok, the State of Green, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council and the Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce.

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