With support from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the Thai Bankers' Association has officially become a member of the Belt and Road Bankers Roundtable (BRBR), marking the first banking association globally to join the mechanism. This development is expected to provide fresh financial impetus for deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Thailand and for advancing high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Established in 1958, the Thai Bankers' Association serves as a core industry organization representing the interests of commercial banks in Thailand and acts as a crucial bridge connecting the Thai government, the central bank, and financial institutions. Its participation in the BRBR mechanism reflects the deepening cooperation between China and Thailand in the financial sector and represents a practical step by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Through the BRBR framework, financial institutions from both countries will enhance collaboration in areas such as cross-border payments, project financing, and the development of digital platforms for cross-border trade settlement. These efforts aim to create more innovative and sustainable financial service solutions, contributing to the construction of a more stable, prosperous, and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future.
The BRBR mechanism was initiated by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China during the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017, under the guidance of the People's Bank of China. It focuses on promoting practical cooperation among members in project financing, green finance, financial technology, and capital markets, while facilitating experience sharing, information exchange, and mutual learning of projects. To date, the BRBR mechanism has expanded its membership and observer base to include over 210 financial institutions and international multilateral organizations from 79 countries and regions.