'Unbeatable Thailand, Unparalleled Opportunities'

[webfact]

'Unbeatable Thailand, Unparalleled Opportunities'

Full speech of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a seminar in Tokyo.

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

at an Investment Seminar "Unbeatable Thailand, Unparalleled Opportunities"

7 March 2012

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

---------------------

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am honoured to be here in Japan and I would like to thank our friends from the private sector for being here today.

Thailand and Japan are old friends whose economic future is linked to one another. From the establishment of diplomatic relations 125 years ago to the Strategic Partnership with an Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) today, Japan and the private sector have played a key role in Thailand's development. The strong ties between Thailand and Japan will be even more important as the world increasingly look to Asia to be the main driver of sustain global growth.

Japan is Thailand's largest trading partner. Our exports to Japan grew by 8.3 percent last year. You are also Thailand's largest investor. Japanese investments applying for Board of Investment promotion was 49 percent of total FDI last year. Japanese firms are doing more research, development and product design in Thailand. Moreover, the Thai Parliament has approved further negotiations under JTEPA in five areas, including trade, rules of origin, services, investment and implementing JTEPA commitments.

Last year, both Thailand and Japan suffered from the floods. But with your kind support, we have managed to emerge even stronger. Thailand will always be grateful for your help and for the confidence that you have in us.

I am pleased to inform you that, we are in the process of implementing an effective water management system to protect the communities and the important economic and industrial zones.

First, we are currently managing the existing dams by lowering the water level. This will allow the dams to store more water during the peak rainy season.

Second, we have identified natural water retention areas, which will act as another important source of water storage. These areas have direct links to the main rivers to allow for quick release of water after the flooding. In addition, we have already started to enhance the infrastructures system including sluice gates, canals, pumping stations and dykes.

Third, measures to protect the economic zones will include investment in the protective barriers around industrial estates. Roads will be elevated to ensure access for delivery of goods and services; this will ensure that industrial supply chain and logistics will not be disrupted. Furthermore, we are also improving water flow through the canals, in order to drain water quickly into the Gulf of Thailand.

Fourth, a single command center is in place to ensure effective management and timely response. In addition, we are also improving the forecasting and early warning system.

To ensure the success of these plans, around 47 billion yen (18 billion baht) will be spent this year and around 915 billion yen (350 billion baht) will be spent over the next couple of years. In addition, I have also personally visited all the key sites in the plan to gain their support.

In addition to the water management plans, the Government has also initiated several financial packages to assist the Japanese companies affected from the flooding including low interest rates loans to assist in building the flood protection barriers as well as an insurance fund to support those affected.

Despite the floods, our economic fundamentals continue to be strong. We have high level of foreign exchange reserves and a sound fiscal position with low public debt of GDP at around 40 percent. Because of this, the Thai economy is expected to rebound strongly. The forecast for economic growth this year is about 5.5 to 6.5 percent. I would also like to point out that, even with the floods, over 1.1 million Japanese tourists still visited Thailand last year, which is an increase of around 13 percent.

Our Government will continue to implement policies to accommodate foreign investment in Thailand. The corporate income tax has been reduced from 30 percent to 23 percent this year and will be further reduced to 20 percent next year. Several barriers have been removed to make it easier to set up regional headquarters in Thailand. Furthermore, Thai skilled labour continues to be an important asset for foreign companies.

Thailand is the existing hub for your products to a more connected ASEAN Community. This single market and production base currently comprises over 600 million consumers, a combined GDP of some 143.4 trillion yen and an annual economic growth of some 5 percent.

This Community opens up opportunities in regional growth areas such as transportation, energy, health care, tourism and agriculture. Given Thailand's comparative advantage in some of these areas, we will be able to match the growing dynamism of the ASEAN Community and the growth of Japan's investments in the region.

To support regional connectivity in the GMS and ASEAN, the Government is committed to invest in logistics and transportation network including roads and rails that will link Thailand with our neighbours through the important economic corridors. This will be supported by not only the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity but also the ASEAN Plus Three Connectivity Partnership involving China, Japan and the Republic of Korea which Thailand initiated.

One key project that strengthens regional connectivity is the Dawei deep sea port project which is being developed in cooperation with our close neighbours Myanmar. The success of this project, which is promoted by the Myanmar Government, will not only promote growth and development in Myanmar but also enhance Japanese investments in Thailand as well as the region. This will enhance our links with South Asia, East Asia and beyond.

In conclusion, I can reassure you that Thailand remains the best choice for your continued investment. I am confident that with our strong fundamentals, our supportive policies, our natural assets, and based on our mutual interests, the Thailand -Japan partnership will continue to grow, with the Japanese private sector continuing to serve as a key pillar of this partnership for many years to come.

Thank you.

-- The Nation 2012-03-07

[webfact]

YINGLUCK IN JAPAN

PM sets out to boost confidence in flood measures

PM Yingluck Shinawatra tries woo Japanese investors

TOKYO: -- Thailand on Wednesday assured Japan that effective measures are being taken to prevent a repeat of last year's devastating floods including the allocation of a Bt350 billion budget to implement an effective water management plan to protect industrial estates where Japanese factories are located.

Speaking at a seminar in Tokyo, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tried to boost confidence among Japanese investors, confirming Thailand's readiness to be Japan's strong economic partner.

The seminar, organised by Thailand's Board of Investment (BOI) and entitled 'Thailand creating the future’, is part of the agency's roadshow programme to boost foreign investor confidence. The seminar was attended by more than 1,200 Japanese investors.

Yingluck informed the audience that Japan is a very important trading partner for Thailand and said that the two countries have a long relationship. She added that Thailand is increasing its potential to attract Japanese investment.

Referring to the massive floods last year, Yingluck said that integrated centres to deal with flood problems are being set up and would be ready by the end of this month to deal with possible floods. She said she was confident that foreign investments in Thailand can be protected as a result.

Yingluck's government has been criticised of mishandling last year's flooding, resulting in several industrial estates where Japanese factories are located, being under water for several weeks.

The Thai premier also said Thailand has a policy to support production and a dynamic economy, offering such benefits as corporate income tax reduction, a strong infrastructure and ongoing transportation development, including the construction of a high-speed rail network and deep sea ports to link with other countries in the region.

Yingluck said Thailand will in the future be a distribution centre for moving Japanese goods to other member states of Asean.

She noted that Thailand will continue as the best choice for Japan’s continuing private investment, thanks to her administration’s policy, the strong Thai economy, skilled workers, an outstanding industrial sector and secure capital reserves.

Yingluck will also hold meetings with Japanese representatives and investors to boost their confidence during her four-day official visit. She will return to Thailand early on Saturday morning.

-- The Nation 2012-03-07

[webfact]

THAI-JAPAN TIES

Japanese trade minister promises support for flood measures

TOKYO: -- Japan on Wednesday expressed understanding of the Thai government's priorities to tackle and prevent a repeat of the flooding problems and appreciation of Thailand's assistance to the Japanese business sectors affected by the flooding.

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano told the visiting Thai premier that he supported investment in Thailand and the country's proposed solutions to cope with future flooding, while affirming he will push for more trade between the two countries.

He said during a bilateral meeting with Yingluck Shinawatra that Thailand will continue to be his country's investment base in the Asean region.

Yingluck is scheduled to hold discussions with representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as Japanese and Thai university students, who will express thanks to the Thai government for assisting Japan during last year's earthquake and tsunami.

Yingluck is meeting with Japan's prime minister Yoshihiko Noda and his full cabinet on Wednesday evening to boost Thai-Japanese relations and shore up tangible strategic measures between the two countries.

A press conference on bilateral relations will be held following the formal discussion, after which the Japanese premier will host a dinner to honour his Thai counterpart.

Yingluck will return to Thailand on Saturday morning.

-- The Nation 2012-03-07

[looping]

"Last year, both Thailand and Japan suffered from the floods."

'Lucky' draws a comparison between last years flood mismanagement in Thailand and the tsunami which hit Japan. Perverse at best. IMO.

[whybother]

To ensure the success of these plans, around 47 billion yen (18 billion baht) will be spent this year and around 915 billion yen (350 billion baht) will be spent over the next couple of years.

Lucky they rushed through the emergency decree for the 350 billion baht in spending so that it could be spent of the next couple of years.

[GentlemanJim]

Is it just me or does the photo of attendees above look like the PM was faced with another audience of students?

Thailand only has one chance now! She has gone out on a limb and made Japan some serious promises, if the Thai Government does not deliver then Japan will turn their backs on the country.

[Gone]

Great speech to the PM and all the luck and power to you.

Nice to see her working with and visiting the Japanese people.

[webfact]

Thai PM in Japan vows no more flood chaos

TOKYO, March 7, 2012 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday pledged floods would never again disrupt business in the kingdom as she sought to reassure investors during a trip to Japan.

The Thai premier said she had ordered the establishment of schemes to help companies get back on their feet from the disaster that knocked businesses sideways last year.

"I have reaffirmed to the Japanese government and business leaders that the Royal Thai government is committed to ensuring that the devastation caused by such disasters will never happen again," she told reporters in Tokyo during a joint press conference with her Japanese opposite number.

"(The Thai government) has expedited assistance to affected factories in order to rehabilitate their operations as soon as possible," she said, adding it had created a fund to subsidise disaster insurance for businesses.

As many as one in 10 Japanese companies in Thailand said they were considering leaving the country in the wake of the flooding, which crimped supply chains and hammered profits.

The Thai government has since launched a charm offensive as it seeks to reassure investors that the kingdom remains a good place to do business.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Thailand and Japan, which mark the 125th year of diplomatic relations this year, share the same basic values and remain strategic partners.

The two countries "agreed to enhance cooperative relations in the areas of space, railway and information computer technology development at a time that Thailand needs to build infrastructure following the floods", he said.

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano, who met Yingluck earlier, proposed the sale to Thailand of Japan's observation satellite system to help the country monitor and forecast flood damage.

Thailand suffered a double-digit contraction in the final three months of 2011, the sharpest on record, as the worst floods in half a century pummelled the nation's industrial sector.

The months-long floods took a heavy toll on Thailand's industrial heartland north of Bangkok, with many factories forced to close temporarily.

Yingluck is due to meet Crown Prince Naruhito, who is standing in for Emperor Akihito after heart surgery, and visit Japan's tsunami-hit northeast on Thursday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-03-07

[Roj]

There`s that HUB word in there again. Well, to maintain foreign business confidence the government will need to manage the water flow properly this year and if that means having to relegate the rice crop to a secondary importance and not worry about losing the country`s status as the leading rice exporter then that is what needs to be done.

[LuckyLew]

Will be very interesting to see what Japan's reaction will be if Thailand suffers floods again this year.

[Ricardo]

Nobody mention the war !

[birdpooguava]

But didn't she know that Abhisit just got back from Japan..lol

[Thai at Heart]

Just wait until there isn't enough water in the dams to plant the last rice crop, and then the poop will really hit the fan domestically.

[rubl]

Just the normal show. A PM and economical team visit a major foreign investor. Lots of blabla. Before the PM leaves again a number of 'business deals' should be announced. That's again normal. Keep them busy, keep them happy. 'Our PM saving the day', and so forth and so on.

PS I would have said the same with any PM, any country.

[mijan24]

Nobody mention the. war !

She covered it with ""friends for over 125 years".

[lungmi]

Nobody mention the war !

Why? Thailand was an ally.

[GentlemanJim]

Nobody mention the war !

Why? Thailand was an ally.

Well technically, sort of. Thailand also maintained a secret resistance organisation against the Japanese throughout the war and of course finished the War as an ally of the USA.

[edwardandtubs]

Did she make that speech in English or is it a translation?

[DP25]

Last year, both Thailand and Japan suffered from the floods.

Takes balls to compare the two.

Japan suffered an enormous disaster, the effects of which were lessened by the heroic lengths the Japanese people went to prepare for it. Thailand suffered a disaster because the government is corrupt and incompetent and accidentally flooded the country due to dam mismanagement while trying to skim the treasury with their rice subsidy scheme

The corporate income tax has been reduced from 30 percent to 23 percent this year and will be further reduced to 20 percent next year.

Funny how they don't trumpet this one in the red propaganda. Every campaign promise broken except the ones that benefit the rich

[philw]

Great speech to the PM and all the luck and power to you.

Nice to see her working with and visiting the Japanese people.

yes!!

[Thai at Heart]

Nobody mention the war !

Why? Thailand was an ally.

Well technically, sort of. Thailand also maintained a secret resistance organisation against the Japanese throughout the war and of course finished the War as an ally of the USA.

Listen very carefully I shall say this only once........ (Allo, Allo comedy)

The French had a secret reseetance also, but they never delivered a declaration of war to their ambassadors in London and the US. It is only be the grace and brains of a few very smart Thai people in the US at the time that the paper was never delivered to the US government.

[miksguevara]

Nobody mention the war !

Why? Thailand was an ally.

Well technically, sort of. Thailand also maintained a secret resistance organisation against the Japanese throughout the war and of course finished the War as an ally of the USA.

Listen very carefully I shall say this only once........ (Allo, Allo comedy)

The French had a secret reseetance also, but they never delivered a declaration of war to their ambassadors in London and the US. It is only be the grace and brains of a few very smart Thai people in the US at the time that the paper was never delivered to the US government.

yeah but they did have a compliant vichy government in much of France? I think for a small not so powerful nation thailand played the situation pretty well

[webfact]

THAI PM'S VISIT TO JAPAN

PM reassures Japanese on flood control measures

Photo: EPA

Says bilateral partnership 'could be an engine for growth in Asia'

Edano: Investments will continue

TOKYO: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday showcased Thailand as an unbeatable investment destination in a bid to rally Japanese business confidence in the wake of last year's flooding disaster.

On the second day of her Tokyo visit, Yingluck assured 1,200 Japanese businessmen at a seminar that Thai-Japan partnership would endure floods and any natural woes and move on to become an engine for growth and prosperity in Asia.

"I am pleased to inform you that we are in the process of implementing an effective water management system," she said, to allay concerns of a repeat of the floods.

She outlined four key flood-control measures - ensuring effective water retention via dams; identifying more water-retention areas; construction of flood barriers at industrial zones; and unifying command centres to regulate water flow.

The government was preparing to spend Bt350 billion on flood-control projects, she said. Soft loans were being made available to Japanese companies recovering from the last flooding and coping with the coming rainy season.

Turning to investment incentives, she said corporate income tax would be slashed from 30 per cent to 23 per cent this year. A further reduction to 20 per cent is expected next year.

The PM said Thailand was becoming a hub for Japanese products in the Asean community. The government was fully committed to the development of logistics and a transport network to enhance regional connectivity. Thai involvement in Burma's Dawei deep-sea port would link the region with South Asia and beyond.

The prime minister held separate talks with a number of key figures, including Japan's Minister of Eco-nomy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano and Japan Financial Corpora-tion governor Shosaku Yasui.

Edano pledged support and continued investment as the two countries faced similar disasters caused by floods. He thanked Thais for their continuing trust in Japanese food products despite the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

In-between meetings, the prime minister attended a luncheon hosted by the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). In the afternoon, she presided over the consultation meeting between Thai and Japanese business representatives.

At the Imperial Hotel, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) chairman Hiroyuki Ishige met with Yingluck to discuss Thai government policies on water and flood management as well as cooperation in bilateral industrial development.

He said later that Jetro had asked the Thai government to show a clear stance on flood-prevention measures, management of data processing and insurance policies.

Ishige said Jetro had organised extensive events and seminars in Thailand because industrial investments in Thailand were important to Japan.

He said Yingluck's visit was helpful in boosting Japanese investor confidence in their prolonged ventures in Thailand, as they were now much clearer about Thai flood-prevention plans. More than half of Japanese-owned businesses had resumed post-flood operations in Thailand.

As the yen strengthens, Japanese businesses are seeking opportunities for overseas investment and Thailand is one of the primary locations for them, he added.

A group from the Gakushuin Women's College paid a courtesy call on Yingluck to present 1,000 origami cranes in appreciation of Thai assistance in last year's calamities caused by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident.

-- The Nation 2012-03-08

[pimay11]

Thai PM in Japan vows no more flood chaos

TOKYO, March 7, 2012 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday pledged floods would never again disrupt business in the kingdom as she sought to reassure investors during a trip to Japan.

"I have reaffirmed to the Japanese government and business leaders that the Royal Thai government is committed to ensuring that the devastation caused by such disasters will never happen again," she told reporters in Tokyo during a joint press conference with her Japanese opposite number.

I am reminded of Bagdad Bob saying "there are no tanks within 100 miles of Bagdad" when the streets were full of them only one hundred meters from the press conference.

Edited March 8, 2012 by pimay11

[Ricardo]

Nobody mention the. war !

She covered it with ""friends for over 125 years".

Technically, "old friends" don't invade one another, except of course in Diplomat-Speak-Land !

[Lite Beer]

Thailand, Japan emphasise importance of economic partnership

TOKYO, March 8 – The Thai and Japanese prime ministers have stressed the importance of the economic partnership between the two nations as both countries agreed to target boosting the value of their trade to hit US$100 billion by 2017.

Visiting Thai premier Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday and her Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda jointly attended the full plenary of the bilateral meeting of Thai and Japanese delegates. The two leaders then held a joint news conference.

Ms Yingluck told the media that she thanked all sectors of the Japanese government and people for their kindly assistance to Thailand during last year’s flood crisis. She also assured the Japanese business community that the Thai government would do its best with every effort so that she is confident that the government’s measures guarantee that severe floods will not happen again like last year.

The government has fixed a plan for sustainable water management, with both urgent and longer term actions. The plan is already initiated and is progressing. The current urgent measures are expected to be completed this month.

The urgent phase includes rehabilitation and improvement of existing infrastructure for water management, formation of an integrated water management agency, a database and warning system development, and designation of reservoirs or water retention areas, as well as compensation for those affected by earlier floods.

As for the longer term measures, Thailand has put in place plans to manage river basins, among others. The Thai parliament approved a draft bill for Bt350 billion for loans to implement the plans.

The prime minister reiterated that her government cares for the sufferings faced by the Japanese companies affected by the floods and has implemented measures to address the needs of the Japanese companies to restore their production capacity.

She said the government will assist in certain costs, specifically two thirds of the total investment for the dykes to be constructed to protect industrial estates affected. Apart from this, the government has set up a Bt50 billion fund for natural disaster insurance to help the people and entrepreneurs affected.

Ms Yingluck said Thailand and Japan have enjoyed a close relationship long standing for over one century. This relationship is one of compassion, warmth and mutual benefit between the peoples of the two nations. This is seen in the fact that the people of both countries have offered both assistance and moral support to each other in times of natural disasters in the past year.

The business sectors of both countries have an important role to play in building this close relationship and bond. This was the driving force that has made Thailand and Japan develop the economic partnership and promoted mutual benefits until the present.

The Thai government is therefore determined to support this strategic economic partnership to continue its progress as agreed in the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). This is aimed at increasing the capacity in global competitiveness for the business sector of both countries.

She said Thailand is ready to review the negotiations and negotiate further, viewing that both sides should expedite the cooperation in various sectors that are of mutual benefit. This is especially true for human resources development in the automobile industry. Ms Yingluck said trade obstacles should be eliminated for this purpose.

The Thai premier said that both countries have agreed to expand trade value to hit the target of US$100 billion by 2017. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-08

[OzMick]

There`s that HUB word in there again. Well, to maintain foreign business confidence the government will need to manage the water flow properly this year and if that means having to relegate the rice crop to a secondary importance and not worry about losing the country`s status as the leading rice exporter then that is what needs to be done.

Bit bloody late to worry about that after they have over-priced themselves out of that ranking.

[DocN]

"Last year, both Thailand and Japan suffered from the floods."

'Lucky' draws a comparison between last years flood mismanagement in Thailand and the tsunami which hit Japan. Perverse at best. IMO.

...ahm...no, "Lucky" doesn't.

She mentioned that Japanese (companies and investors) and Thais (workers and citizens) suffered from the flood!

[sparebox2]

Nice photo. Perfect photo.

She looks so Japanese. Or is it Korean?

[OzMick]

1st, we know we made a right dog's breakfast of it last year, but we'll try to do better.

2nd, we're trying to fix all the rubbish infrastructure that failed last year, and we've identified some areas that we are calling flood retention areas - and some actually aren't suburbs.

3rd We'll even clean the canals BEFORE the floodwaters arrive, and we're planning some stuff that will take years but with heaps of kickbacks and scams. My brother went to Korea to get some pumps that should arrive any day - eventually anyway. We're elevating walls and roads, and starting a learn to swim program so employees can get from their flooded homes to work.

4th We'll have single command centre manned mostly by a different pack of incompetents, plus some of the old incompetents, and maybe a few experts if we can find any willing to be associated with us, and who are owed a few favours by my brother. We promise to find another little job to keep Chalerm and family away.

5th I now I've told a few porkies in the past but you have my promise that this is all true, which should be good enough for you to risk a few million dollars.