The two groups represent a total financial asset of around 315 billion dollars. The aim of the Italian-Thai Business Forum is to establish a “private-sector-only” channel of dialogue at the highest level between the business communities of Italy and Thailand, in order to increase bilateral trade (at around 3.8 billion dollars in the last four years) and investments. This direct link establishes an informal group who can discuss common issues in meetings to be held alternatively in Italy and Thailand, with a view to paving the way for SMEs cooperation as well.

The first meeting has seen the CEO of Italcementi (operating in Thailand as Asia Cement –ACC-) Carlo Pesenti leading – as Italian Co-President of the Forum- a group of 12 major Italian companies already operating in Thailand including Cavagna, CMC Ravenna, CNH Industrial, Danieli, Ducati, Faber Industrie, Ferrero, Finmeccanica, Generali, Pirelli, Unicredit and Vittoria. On the Thai side the Co-President role is led by Busaba Chirathivat, Executive Vice President of Central Group, the owner of  La Rinascente department stores in Italy. Companies on the Thai side are Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Weaving Mills, Dusit Thani, Mitr Phol, Pin Siam, PTT, Siam Cement Group, Thaivivat Insurance, Thai Airways International, Thai Hua Rubber and Thai Summit Group. The sectors involved so far range from automotive to banking, cement, food, infrastructure, insurance, lifestyle, oil&gas, steel machinery, sugar and renewable energy, retail, rubber, petrochemicals and tourism.