Private Sector Confident Of Suvarnabhumi’s Cargo Hub Potential

[Jai Dee]

Private sector confident of Suvarnabhumi’s cargo hub potential

BANGKOK, Sept 12 (TNA) – Leading executives are certain that Suvarnabhumi Airport will become Asia’s regional cargo hub, and as a result promote trade in the region.

Vikrom Kromadit, CEO of industrial estate developer Amata Corporation Plc, said the new airport will be a distribution gateway to Thailand and the rest of Asia, with the ability to support commerce brought about by Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between Thailand and major partners, like China and Australia.

Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ability to handle greater cargo capacity, he said, is a crucial factor in realising Thailand’s aspiration in becoming the region’s cargo hub.

Thanet Soraj, deputy CEO of logistics service provider We-Serve Group, expects the greater capacity, which is double that of Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang), will be a decisive factor for executives in choosing Thailand as a distribution centre for products bound for assembly or trade at a third destination.

This development, said Thanet, will open opportunities for companies in logistics and other related business, like warehouse storage.

Suchart Chantaranakaracha, president of the Thai Federation on Logistics, added that Suvarnabhumi Airport has potential to become not only the regional hub of cargo but also passenger service. The new airport can accommodate 45 million travellers a year.

“During the first few days of operation, Suvarnabhumi Airport might be hampered by certain problems, but problems are normal. Once they are solved, a smooth operation can be ensured,” said Suchart.

Source: TNA - 12 September 2006