Tanzania, Thailand for gas and oil venture

Ambassador Rajab Gamaha, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation earlier today met with the delegation of eleven people from Thailand Government and public company in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dar es Salaam.  The group is in the country for two-days tour to explore more about the opportunities available for investment in various areas that include gas and oil. 

Ambassador Gamaha explains various investment opportunities available in Tanzania that include sectors of energy, minerals and ports. 

Delegation from Thailand that included Mr. Songpope Polachan (right), Director-General in the Department of Mineral Fuels in the Ministry of Energy in Thailand, Mr. Somkiet Janmaha (2nd right), Executive Vice President of Geosciences and Exploration in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited  and Mr. Waranon Laprabang (3rd right), Senior Vice President Exploration and New Venture Division in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited.  Others are Mrs. Premrutai Vinaiphat (2nd left), Director of International Petroleum Division in the Ministry of Energy and Mr. Somkiat Thaeppunkulngam(left), Senior Coordinator, Business Development in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited.  

Also in the meeting is Mr. Reginald Phillip, Field Student from the Centre for Foreign Relations.

Ambassador Kairuki listens to his Foreign Service Officer Ms. Samira Diria. 

Mr. Polachan explains about Thailand Government experiences in the field of oil and gas exploration. 

Mr. Polachan shows a book to Ambassador Gamaha, titled "TIGER Now or Forever".  It is a comprehensive book explaining the value of environmental and natural resources conservation, while containing rare photographs of tigers in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand.

Ambassador Kairuki (center) exchanges views with Mr. Somkiat Thaeppunkulngam (right), Senior Coordinator, Business Development in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited and Mr. Waranon Laprabang (3rd right), Senior Vice President Exploration and New Venture Division in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited.  

.....  Prior to the meeting .....

Ambassador Mbelwa Kairuki, Director of the Department of Asia and Australasia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation welcomes Mr. Songpope Polachan, Director-General in the Department of Mineral Fuels in the Ministry of Energy in Thailand. 

Ambassador Kairuki welcomes Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong of Thailand in the United Republic of Tanzania with residence in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Ambassador Kairuki welcomes Mr. Somkiet Janmaha, Executive Vice President of Geosciences and Exploration in the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited in Thailand. 

Tanzania, Thailand for gas and oil venture

By TAGIE DAISY MWAKAWAGO

Tanzania and Thailand are keen to explore opportunities for cooperation in energy and minerals sector, geared towards economical development of the country.

“We welcome partners from Thailand in all sectors and we hope that this will not be your last visit to Tanzania,” said Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.  He highlighted other potential sectors for investment such as ports, agriculture, mining, deep sea fishing, cultural sector, oil and gas and many others. 

Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha was speaking today with the delegation from Exploration and Production Public Company Limited and Department of Mineral Fuels of the Kingdom of Thailand, who are in the country for two-days to explore opportunities for cooperation in energy and minerals sector.  

The group is led by Ambassador Ittiporn Boonpracong of Thailand to the United Republic of Tanzania with a residence in Nairobi, and included decision-makers from the Ministry of Energy in Thailand with successful measures in petroleum and gas industries.  

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Somkiet Janmaha, Executive Vice President of Geosciences and Exploration said that his company was seeking to explore more areas of cooperation in Tanzania, particularly in the oil and gas industries.  “We have keyed our interest in Tanzania and we see this as a positive venture to further explore energy industry,” said Mr. Janmaha whose company of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited is known as one of the prominent companies in Thailand with a solid record in social responsibility.  

The PTT Exploration Company is also nationally known in Thailand for petroleum and production, with respectable number of foreign investments that include countries such as Oman, Australia, Canada, Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia, Algeria, New Zealand and now seeking opportunities in Tanzania.

During the discussion, Ambassador Boonpracong said his country has had long standing bilateral ties with Tanzania and plans to continue its support and offer trainings in various fields that include education, gas and oil.

Earlier today, the group met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Executives on the possibility of cooperation in the Energy and Petroleum Joint Investment in Tanzania. The group also had opportunity to visit the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and met for discussion with the Executive Secretary Ms. Juliet Kairuki.

The delegation is expected to return back to Thailand tomorrow.