Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shakes hands with Wouter van Wersch, Airbus executive vice-president for international affairs, at Government House on Friday. (Photo: Royal Thai Government)
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Airbus executives on Friday to discuss the expansion of investment and technology transfer in Thailand and the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using Thai agricultural products.
Mr Anutin met with Wouter van Wersch, Airbus executive vice-president for international affairs, and Bert Porteman, a representative of Airbus Thailand, at Government House.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in aviation, space technology, human resources development and clean energy.
The two sides also discussed the development of the aviation industry’s related services, including cooperation with Thai Airways International, as well as workforce development to support industry expansion and the government’s goal of making Thailand a regional aviation hub.
The prime minister said the government was committed to promoting the aviation industry and other future industries.
He praised Airbus for its long-standing cooperation with Thailand in job creation, skills development and support for the country’s aviation sector.
He asked Airbus to consider expanding its existing cooperation and adapting successful models it uses in other countries for Thailand.
This would allow the country to benefit more from Airbus’s global knowledge, technology and networks including its plans to set up a Centre of Excellence in Thailand as a hub for developing knowledge, technology and skilled personnel.
The centre is expected to connect Thailand with Airbus’s global network and provide Thai workers with opportunities to develop advanced technology skills.
On clean energy, the PM proposed that Airbus support the use of SAF produced in Thailand using agricultural materials and production as part of the supply chain.
The use of SAF would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation while creating new markets, increasing the value of agricultural products and generating additional income for Thai farmers.
Mr Anutin also said Thailand’s cooperation with Airbus could extend beyond aviation. The cooperation would focus on technology and knowledge transfers and human resources development to strengthen Thailand’s capabilities in space and related technologies.
The premier proposed expanding cooperation in space technology and security, building on existing links between Airbus and Thai agencies, including the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Gistda) and Thaicom Plc.