The Trade Attaché Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok serves as a strategic arm of the Indonesian government dedicated to strengthening bilateral trade relations between Indonesia and Thailand. Located in the heart of Bangkok, the office operates under Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, promoting Indonesian products and facilitating business partnerships in the Thai market.
Organization Overview
As an official trade promotion office, the Trade Attaché works to increase the visibility and competitiveness of Indonesian exports in Thailand. Through targeted outreach, policy advocacy, and trade facilitation services, the office plays a pivotal role in supporting Indonesian exporters and investors while aiding Thai businesses interested in the Indonesian market.
Core Services and Focus Areas
The primary functions of the Trade Attaché include:
Trade Facilitation Services
- Export-Import Advisory: Guidance on regulatory, customs, and distribution frameworks for Indonesian exporters and Thai importers.
- Business Matching: Facilitating B2B connections between Indonesian suppliers and Thai buyers across various industries.
- Market Research: Conducting and disseminating in-depth market intelligence on Thai consumer trends and sectoral opportunities.
Indonesian Product Promotion
The office actively promotes Indonesian goods in the Thai market across several categories:
- Food & Beverage: Spices, coffee, tea, instant noodles, palm oil derivatives.
- Textiles & Apparel: Batik, Muslim wear, fashion accessories.
- Handicrafts: Wood carvings, rattan furniture, handmade decor.
- Industrial Goods: Automotive components, machinery, building materials.
Strategic Importance and Market Role
Thailand is one of Indonesia's key trading partners in ASEAN. The Trade Attaché facilitates trade flows that amounted to over USD 13 billion in total bilateral trade volume as of 2023, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade.
- Indonesian exports to Thailand primarily include coal, crude oil, palm oil, and rubber-based products.
- Thai exports to Indonesia focus on automotive products, machinery, and chemicals.
The office works closely with trade promotion centers, Indonesian chambers of commerce, and Thai business councils to maintain and expand this trade balance.
Target Audience
- Thai Importers and Distributors seeking reliable Indonesian suppliers.
- Indonesian Exporters and Manufacturers entering or expanding into the Thai market.
- Event Organizers and Trade Show Coordinators interested in featuring Indonesian pavilions or delegations.
- Government and Trade Bodies looking to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
Capabilities and Initiatives
The Trade Attaché provides:
- Trade Missions and Delegation Management for both outbound and inbound visits.
- Exhibition Participation Support, including booths at Thai trade fairs such as THAIFEX-Anuga Asia, BIG+BIH, and others.
- Digital Marketing Campaigns via social media platforms to raise awareness of Indonesian products.
- Sectoral Dialogues and Policy Roundtables to improve market access and resolve trade barriers.
Key Achievements
- Successfully coordinated Indonesian business participation in over 15 international trade fairs in Thailand over the past three years.
- Supported the entry of over 50 Indonesian brands into the Thai modern trade system (supermarkets and specialty stores).
- Facilitated trade contracts worth USD 20+ million in 2023 through business matchmaking events.
- Developed a dedicated Thai-language promotional website to ease market access: www.indonesiathaitrade.com
Social Media Presence
The Trade Attaché utilizes digital platforms to connect with the Thai public and Indonesian diaspora:
These platforms are used to share trade news, promote events, and highlight featured Indonesian products available in Thailand.
