Infrastructure, Logistics Problems, Unclear Regulations For Foreign Investors

[george]

TV-makers shifting from Thailand

The Asean Free Trade Agreement has encouraged multinational television-makers to move to Malaysia and Indonesia instead of staying in Thailand.

"Those firms see a better opportunity to export goods to third markets, in particular India and other parts of South Asia, as they have a free-trade pact with India," Katiya Greigarn, president of the Federation of Thai Industries' Electrical, Electronics and Applied Industries Club, said yesterday.

AFTA has brought tariffs down to zero over the past five years.

Malaysia's logistics and transportation are more efficient, he said.

Multinational firms will now look at any country in Asean to invest, as tariffs are equal. They willconsider logistics development, transportation and sources of raw materials as major factors in investing in Asean countries.

To ensure Thailand remains attractive to foreign direct investment, the government should continue promoting the development of infrastructure, logistics and clear regulations for foreign investors.

Thailand still has high potential to be a manufacturing base for refrigerators, washing machines and air-conditioners. For instance, New Zealand investors have recently formed a joint venture with a local firm to make electrical appliances for export to New Zealand and Australia under the Asean-Australia and New Zealand FTA, and the Thailand-New Zealand Economic Partnership Agreement.

Enterprises should accelerate upgrading their production competency to serve the wide-ranging demand of the market, he said.

The market will focus on environment-friendly and energy-saving products. Manufacturers should adopt this awareness to ensure competitiveness in the industry, he added.

After meeting with industry representatives, Malee Choklumlerd, deputy director-general of the Department of Export Promotion, said exports of electronic and electrical appliances are expected to grow by 7-10 per cent this year from last year's US$42.56 billion (Bt1.4 trillion).

Major export markets for the products will be Asean, and new markets in Africa and Asia.

-- The Nation 2010-01-28

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[ThailandTommy]

After meeting with industry representatives, Malee Choklumlerd, deputy director-general of the Department of Export Promotion, said exports of electronic and electrical appliances are expected to grow by 7-10 per cent this year from last year's US$42.56 billion (Bt1.4 trillion).

Are they products that are made under licence, and have stringent quality control to a standard laid down by the parent company?

[givenall]

After meeting with industry representatives, Malee Choklumlerd, deputy director-general of the Department of Export Promotion, said exports of electronic and electrical appliances are expected to grow by 7-10 per cent this year from last year's US$42.56 billion (Bt1.4 trillion).

Are they products that are made under licence, and have stringent quality control to a standard laid down by the parent company?

It is time for Thailand to start creating more free import/export environment and become more commutative with their currency to ensure their growth in new Global economy

[animatic]

It's time they started getting the customs and longshoremans tea money

demands and randomness under control. This is one of the main issues with

most exporter imports, it is nearly impossible to set prices because

they have no idea how much they might get hammered for parts,

or what the exit fee for a delivery might be.