SAMSİAD and Thailand Forge Trade Bridge: Regional Growth and Investment Opportunities

Samsun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAMSİAD) aims to accelerate regional export and investment flows by building a new trade bridge with Thailand.

Thailand's Strategic Hub

As a gateway to the Southeast Asian market, Thailand occupies a critical position among regional logistics and manufacturing centers. Its ASEAN integration and free trade agreements offer Turkish firms low customs duties and fast distribution networks.

Samsun's Manufacturing and Export Potential

Samsun boasts a robust industrial base in automotive, textiles, and food processing. With an export capacity of 4.5 million tons in 2025 and an annual growth rate of 12%, it provides a solid foundation for entering the Thai market.

Planned Bangkok Mission and Timeline

■Date: November 2026

■Participants: SAMSİAD Chairman Süleyman Ferşat Eldemir, Turkish‑Thai Association Secretary General İbrahim Kocagöz, and over 30 Samsun business leaders

■Objective: Assess investment opportunities on site, develop joint projects, and generate a new trade volume worth $200 million

■Activities: Sectoral forums, factory tours, and bilateral business meetings

Anticipated Economic Impact

■Trade volume: Projected 18% increase, reaching $1.5 billion

■Employment: Direct creation of 2,800 jobs and indirect generation of 7,000 positions

■Sectoral gains: Competitive advantage especially in automotive parts and agricultural exports

■Investment appeal: Steering Thai investors toward the Samsun Free Zone, injecting an additional $350 million of capital into the region

Markets are sending positive signals that this partnership will diversify bilateral trade flows and strengthen regional supply chains. As exchange rates and energy costs stabilize, the Samsun‑Thailand bridge will become a pivotal milestone in Turkey’s integration into the Asia‑Pacific market. Accordingly, supportive monetary policy and credit conditions will reinforce investor confidence.