Meanwhile, in cooperation with the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation – Japan (SMRJ), the Thailand Board of Investment organized a Thai-Japanese SME seminar in parallel with the Prime Minister's recent visit to Japan. This event was held on the 23rd of May at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo and was well-attended with more than 200 Japanese companies participating. H.E. Prasert Boonchaisuk, Minister of Industry, opened the seminar together with Mr. Hiroshi Takada, Chairman and CEO of SMRJ. Equally important, the occasion featured speeches from leading figures of the Thai economy such as Mr. Viroj Siritanasat, President of the Alliance for Supporting Industries Association, Mr. Seubtrakul Binthep, Managing Director of Single Point Parts (Thailand), Mr. Narong Sakulsirirat, Managing Director of NR Industry, and Mr. Tan Passakornnatee, Managing Director of Ichi Tan Group. These four speakers from the Thai private sector represented Auto Parts and Mold & Die, Machinery & Parts, Electrical and Electronics, and Food. It is worth mentioning that these industries are an integral part of the BOI's campaign to attract Japanese SMEs and to match them with Thai SMEs. Indeed, the speakers indicated the rapid development of Thai subcontractors and their readiness to partner with Japanese companies. Such collaboration with Thai SMEs would benefit greatly Japanese enterprises as they would be able to concentrate on production in their areas of specialization.