Investment opportunities in Thailand: German firms mull diversification here

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German firms mull diversification here
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation


Nils Schmid, finance and economics minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg, meets with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday while leading more than 20 German enterprises to visit and eye investment opportunities in Thailand.

Branching out from auto sector; Thailand seen as manufacturing hub in Asean

BANGKOK: -- German companies are considering investing more in Thailand in various industries, not only the automobile and related business, as they view the country as a potential hub for manufacturing and related services in Asean.

Nils Schmid, finance and economics minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg, said yesterday that German enterprises see great opportunities in expanding and starting up businesses here.

Despite the internal political conflict, Schmid was confident in promoting more investment in Thailand, as every government maintains a pro-business policy.

He was leading a trade mission with more than 20 Germany enterprises to Thailand this week.

Businesses that Germany would like to promote more in Thailand are not only the auto business, in which Germany has high expertise, but also small and medium sized enterprises and clusters for such industries as pharmaceutical, banking, energy, alternative energy and auto supplies.

Schmid has led business missions to Thailand and other Asean countries including Malaysia and Indonesia ahead of the full liberalisation of the regional economy under the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

The German government believes in facilitating manufacturing and reindustrialising the country. It will not give up promoting manufacturing and will continue to help encourage the growth of manufacturing in partner countries. Thailand is one of its target countries to form closer collaboration.

German Ambassador Rolf Schulze said foreign direct investment from Germany to Thailand is on the rise. Germany has high trust in Thailand. After the Asean integration, Thailand will continue to remain an important hub of Asean to serve German business growth in the Southeast Asian market.

Peter Kulitz, president of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Baden-Wurttemberg, said Thailand is being considered as the heart of Asia at the very gateway to the most densely-populated countries in the world - China and India.

Thailand and Asean can confidently hold their chins up high even in the face of these two giants. Asean today is the ninth largest global economy, and is expected in 2018 to be upgraded to the sixth largest.

German investors would like to explore more opportunities in Thailand and other Asean nations as one of biggest markets in the world.

Businesses that German firms are interested in include motor vehicle, special machinery and equipment, bio and medical engineering, construction, eco-friendly industries, and energy-efficient solutions or green technology.

-- The Nation 2014-04-30

[noitom]

Thais are puffing up the potential from a meeting with the Germans probably here on a a big expense account trip for some sun, drinking, and "fun" Thai style. That means lots of time with Thai girls.

[NongKhaiKid]

I wonder if the gentleman has sought any advice from his embassy here as he would likely get a vastly different viewpoint from that of the caretaker government etc.?

[JesseFrank]

And one which dates had or will have this guy similar meetings with the Indonesian, Vietnamese and Malaysian governments?

[Lupatria]

This guy plays in the minor league of German politics, he is just trying to impress some instant noodle tycoons and furniture manufacturer in his constituency with a free trip to an exotic location. The "real guys" are headed for Myanmar anyway.

[WoopyDoo]

If they are really looking for an emerging hub of ASEAN manufacturing, might I suggest that he looks at Indonesia.... they are leaps and bounds ahead of Thailand in manufacturing Toyota is slowly moving from LOS to there as we speak.

[richard peters]

Indonesia has put in a huge infrastructure, parts are cheaper and better, plus the bribe money is less, so they will be the leading vehicle manufacturing centre of the future.

[RubbaJohnny]

Is it a twin mull or mono mull.

I hope he remembers the "clamped plane' the stiffed Tollways contracts etc

I'm sure its just photo op while he eyes some classier talent.