Top tier executives from the global retail conglomerate, Walmart, recently engaged in high-level discussions with Sedthakiat Krajangwong, the current permanent-secretary of the ministry, along with distinguished representatives from thriving Thai businesses. The central topic of discourse revolved around Thailand’s measures to adhere to globally recognized sustainability standards.
The ministry’s permanent-secretary, Sedthakiat, reported that the SVP of Supply Chain and Sourcing Compliance at Walmart – Jeff Rice, demonstrated a significant amount of interest in Thailand’s strategic initiatives. These encompassed several crucial domains such as carbon border adjustment mechanism, the manufacturing of products certified as deforestation-free, curbing unlawful and unregulated fishing practices (IUU), and enhancement of labour welfare policies.
Sedthakiat further enlightened the Walmart representatives on the ministry’s steadfast focus on sustainability. He emphasized the fact that the Thai private sector, as well as the farmers, have been diligently following safety, security, and sustainability-centric policies dictated by the ministry.
Additionally, the ministry has been rigorously implementing the government’s BCG (bio, circular, and green) economic paradigm. This advanced model is centered around leveraging scientific explorations and innovation to exponentially boost economic growth while ensuring minimal damage to the environment.
In adherence with the same principles, the Department of Fisheries under the ministry has been vigilantly rooting out IUU fishing within the boundaries of Thai waters. Moreover, it has been looking after the welfare of the workers in this sector, guaranteeing that they receive the protection and rights they are entitled to by Thai law.
The Department of Agriculture and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards are concurrently developing robust sustainability guidelines for agricultural product manufacturing. An essential mandate of these regulations includes devising effective mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the cultivation of economically significant crops. It also includes formulating sustainability standards for rubber plantations following the stipulations put forth by the Forest Stewardship Council.
With an international presence spanning across 19 countries and an expansive network of over 10,000 branches in the United States alone, Walmart imports a diverse array of products from Thailand. This vast assortment includes (but is not limited to) frozen and canned seafood, canned fruits, rice, wooden furniture, electrical appliances, plastic bags, as well as toys.
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