PM’s EU visit ‘spurs investor interest’

By The Nation 

 

 

ENTHUSIASM for investment in Thailand from Britain and France is high after the leaders of the two countries that hosted a visit by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed their interest in the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said.

 

Somkid said Prayut’s British and French hosts acknowledged that the Thai economy has undergone a recovery over the past four years. They see that it has become the main country in the Asean region and within the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) grouping, he said, referring to the political, economic, and cultural organisation that connects Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

 

Prayut visited the UK and France from June 21-25.

 

Both countries need to deepen economic connection with countries in the region, Thai officials said. For Britain, this is especially so with the country’s impending withdrawal from the European Union (EU) and is in line with its outward-looking Global Britain Policy.

 

Prayut invited British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron to visit as Thailand's guests when the country hosts the Asean leaders summit next year. Macron has accepted the invitation.

 

During the European visit, Prayut participated in a seminar on "Transforming Thailand: Thailand-France Partnership" held by the Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF) - the largest employer federation in France – and Thailand's Board of Investment, according to Werachon Sukondhapatipak, Thai government deputy spokesman.

 

Prayut also met executives from four leading French business groups: Transdev Group; Michelin Group; Vinci Group; and Suez Group. These executives gave a positive response to participation in Thailand's mega-infrastructure projects, such as those in the EEC, Werachon said.

 

The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint investment in a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre at U-Tapao airport, in Rayong, was aimed at cementing Thailand’s status as a regional aviation hub.

 

With the MoU secured, Thai Airways International Plc's board of directors will meet to determine a date marking the start of joint investment in the showpiece project with Airbus. The European aircraft maker will train workers and prepare equipment for the complex on expectations for the centre to completed in 2022.

 

 “Thailand will become the perfect connection between the UK and France, which need to connect with Asean and ACMECS and focus on a strategic partnership with Thailand. The leaders of both countries have been impressed with the Thailand 4.0 policy," Somkid said.

 

The policy for promoting the country’s technological advancement is in with France's direction to boost innovation and technology and several French companies have expressed interest in Thailand's plans for energy, infrastructure, smart cities and smart utilities, he said.

 

Somkid pointed out that the prime minister’s visit to the European countries reflected their acceptance of Thailand’s situation, which he noted had changed over the past four years of the junta’s rule. The leaders of Britain and France are ready to support the country while making no pressure on the government over the timing of the general election, said Somkid, citing the plan for the poll early next year.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30348682

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-27

Yeah, right, sure, okay, oui. We believe every word that you say and fully support Thai partnerships (and we mean business partnerships, not just personal partnerships).

 

"Thailand will become the perfect connection between the UK and France,..."
I thought that the Channel Tunnel did that!

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Prayuth, a true simpleton, political novice, qualified only as a career bootlicker in the Thai army chairing business meetings just sounds as ridiculous as it probably looked.

Who in attendance would have taken him seriously addressing the forum in Thai. What a pathetic spectacle it must have been

1 hour ago, webfact said:

".......the Thai economy has undergone a recovery over the past four years"

That should translate to..........the Thai economy has recovered from when the ass fell out of it after we illegally took over four years ago.

The fact that it has recovered has nothing to do good management. It has more to do with good luck and some pretty serious frog kissing.

Not one single dream has materialised and heaven knows there has been plenty of those.

You would have thought with the UK leaving the European Union

they would be looking for business world wide 

Moving from their currant Embassy building and downsizing does not send out a positive message to others we are open for business  

4 hours ago, z42 said:

Prayuth, a true simpleton, political novice, qualified only as a career bootlicker in the Thai army chairing business meetings just sounds as ridiculous as it probably looked.

Who in attendance would have taken him seriously addressing the forum in Thai. What a pathetic spectacle it must have been

?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The leaders of Britain and France are ready to support the country while making no pressure on the government over the timing of the general election

Prayut committed to February 2019 elections in his visits with Macron and Mae.

Now DPM Wissanu says between February and May 2019.

Literally time will tell if the lack of pressure continues in 2019.

7 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Prayut committed to February 2019 elections in his visits with Macron and Mae.

Now DPM Wissanu says between February and May 2019.

Literally time will tell if the lack of pressure continues in 2019.

Five different dates given to five leaders of state......if your going to tell lies at least have a good memory ?

16 hours ago, webfact said:

The leaders of Britain and France are ready to support the country while making no pressure on the government over the timing of the general election, said Somkid, citing the plan for the poll early next year.

Thought Macron did say something about Thailand to become a democracy again.  These guys can never get their stories right.   Tuk Tuk drivers sound more credible.