Thailand Deputy PM orders inter-ministerial integration for 2026 IMF-World Bank meetings

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthamphan has directed the Ministries of Commerce, Culture, and Tourism and Sports to collaborate in leveraging the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings to drive economic value.

The initiative aims to integrate trade, culture, and tourism to increase the value of Thai goods and services while expanding international markets. The Ministry of Commerce is tasked with product development, branding, and utilizing ‘IP Finance’ to turn intellectual property into capital, specifically focusing on community products like Thai fabrics and food.

The Ministry of Culture will promote creative industries, including Muay Thai and Thai artists, to create business opportunities. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports will focus on linking Thai identity with tourism and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) sector to stimulate domestic spending and long-term competitiveness.