The Romanian government has set a target of meeting at least 36 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030—a goal supported by EU Green Deal funding.
As Europe seeks alternatives to Russian fossil fuels, Romania’s role in regional energy diversification has grown even more important.
Thailand, which aims to increase renewable energy to 69 per cent of its power mix by 2050, can draw lessons from Romania’s approach to balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability.
Opportunities for cooperation include wind-power engineering, grid-modernisation projects, clean-tech investment and academic research partnerships.
Growing Bilateral Trade and Emerging Opportunities
Although Thailand and Romania maintain relatively modest trade volumes, economic ties are expanding steadily.
Two-way trade averages between US$250 million and US$300 million annually, with Thai exports to Romania including automotive parts, rubber products, electronics and food items.
Romanian exports to Thailand typically consist of wheat, industrial machinery, fertilisers, chemicals and technological components.
According to data from the UN COMTRADE database (via TradingEconomics), Thailand’s exports to Romania in 2024 stood at approximately US$291.22 million, whilst Romania’s exports to Thailand totalled about US$101.88 million.
Romania’s strategic position in Eastern Europe—combined with improving logistics and EU infrastructure corridors—offers new opportunities for Thai exporters seeking access to wider European markets.
Demand for Thai food, processed products, medical supplies and automotive components has been rising in Romania’s urban centres.
People-to-people links are also increasing. More Thai students are enrolling in Romanian universities, particularly in medicine, engineering and IT, whilst tourism operators are beginning to promote Romania as an affordable European destination rich in heritage architecture, rural landscapes and cultural attractions.
As Romania marks its National Day, the occasion highlights not only the country’s historic journey towards unity but also its growing relevance in today’s digital and green global economy.
For Thailand, Romania represents a promising partner whose evolution offers both inspiration and opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in the years to come.
