Bangkok, Thailand, 12 October 2026 – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) have explored opportunities to establish a strategic framework for cooperation in industrialisation, value-chain development, capacity building, technology transfer and sustainable development.
The discussions took place during a courtesy meeting between His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary, and H.E. Mr Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of TICA, on the margins of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) held in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand.
The meeting identified potential areas of collaboration under a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), drawing on Thailand’s development experience to support SADC’s regional integration and industrialisation priorities. Particular emphasis was placed on regional value chains, agricultural transformation, agro-processing and mineral beneficiation to promote value addition, economic diversification and productive capacity.
Thailand’s experience in developing an advanced rice value chain offers opportunities for knowledge exchange, particularly in linking agricultural production with processing, technology and markets. These lessons could inform efforts by SADC Member States to strengthen regional production systems and develop competitive industries.
H.E. Magosi expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Thailand, through TICA, for its continued cooperation with the SADC region, including the sharing of expertise and support for development initiatives. He emphasised the importance of translating this relationship into practical interventions that advance regional industrialisation.
H.E. Magosi further commended Thailand for supporting capacity building through the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP). Through this framework, Thailand and partner countries, including Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), provide technical training and institutional capacity development. SADC Member States, including Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia, have benefited from training opportunities under the programme.
H.E. Narinthrangura warmly welcomed the Executive Secretary to Thailand and thanked him for the longstanding cooperation and collaboration with the SADC region. He highlighted the value of development cooperation in strengthening technical expertise and addressing shared development priorities, describing it as a blueprint for partnership and mutual engagement.
He concurred with the Executive Secretary that continued cooperation and capacity building could help identify practical initiatives to address the development priorities of SADC Member States, particularly in agricultural development, value-chain strengthening and industrialisation.
Recognising the challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters in the SADC region, including El Niño-related impacts, H.E. Mr Narinthrangura noted that the Government of Thailand’s expertise could contribute valuable insights and support to the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) in its efforts to coordinate regional disaster preparedness, response and early recovery.
The proposed MoU would provide a framework for identifying priority areas, coordinating technical assistance, facilitating knowledge exchange and developing practical initiatives. The meeting also highlighted the need to facilitate the accreditation of Thailand’s Ambassador to SADC to strengthen diplomatic engagement and institutional relations.
Further engagement between the technical teams is expected to help identify concrete areas of collaboration under the proposed framework. The engagement reflects the broader value of South-South cooperation in promoting the exchange of development experiences, technical knowledge and practical solutions between countries and regions.
The SADC Executive Secretary was accompanied by Dr Mike Masiye, SADC Director for Policy, Planning and Resource Mobilisation. H.E. Mr Narinthrangura was accompanied by H.E. Lieutenant Sorawud Preededilok, Minister attached to TICA, alongside officials from both institutions.
