PM calls for Japanese firms to invest more in Mekong region

[Lite Beer]

MEKONG SUBREGION
PM calls for Japanese firms to invest more in Mekong region
SASITHORN ONGDEE
THE SUNDAY NATION
TOKYO

TOKYO: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha has invited Japanese small and medium sized enterprises to invest more in the Mekong Subregion - by taking advantage of its logistic transport links, with the expectation that the region will be able to take a step forward together.

Prayut spoke at a luncheon at the Imperial Hotel that was attended by the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam and more than 1,000 Japanese businesspeople, where the need for more investment in the Mekong highlighted.

The sectors in need of investment include agriculture, processed agricultural products, high-tech industries and recycling and alternative energy.

Deputy government spokesman Maj-General Weerachon Sukonthapaitipak said Prayut told the gathering that such investments would be in line with the Japanese government's policy of promoting the country's SMEs to expand their investments abroad, especially in the Mekong, as doing so provided Japan with an extended production base.

"The Japanese private sector is a vital tool to drive growth in the Mekong region and is part of the achievements of the Thai economy and [the country's] social development for decades," said Prayut.

He said Japanese companies were technologically advanced and well managed, leading to job and wealth creation in local communities.

Thailand had improved its rules and regulations to facilitate foreign investment, he said, with investors able to use the country as a production base that extends to neighbouring countries under the concept of "Plus One".

Thailand is pushing for construction of many transport infrastructure projects over the next eight years in a bid to reduce logistics costs and increase the country's and the Mekong subregion's competitiveness.

The government has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Tokyo on a government-to-government basis to develop three railway lines, two of which will link trade and investment in the Mekong.

The Dawei Special Economic Zone and deep seaport project would also be a strategic gateway for trade in the region to the Andaman Ocean. It would also support road construction to link Myanmar and Cambodia and Vietnam.

The businesspeople at the lunch were led by leaders of Keidanren and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-calls-for-Japanese-firms-to-invest-more-in-Meko-30263769.html

-- The Nation 2015-07-05

[Manbing]

Despite the FDI and labor conditions being more conducive in Thailand's neighboring countries.

[BSJ]

And I say to you Prime Minister, you should allow foreigners who live here the right of residency, to be allowed to purchase 1 rai of land to build a home on and card that shows they are permanent residents.

Gee, the silence is deafening!

[Tatsujin]

And I say to you Prime Minister, you should allow foreigners who live here the right of residency, to be allowed to purchase 1 rai of land to build a home on and card that shows they are permanent residents.

Gee, the silence is deafening!

Hear, hear!

[spidermike007]

Logistic transport links? Is he referring to Udon Thani airport? He is definitely not referring to the unbelievably sub standard rail links. Nor the Mekong port system. So, just what is this guy referring to? Does he even know?

[Thai at Heart]

Logistic transport links? Is he referring to Udon Thani airport? He is definitely not referring to the unbelievably sub standard rail links. Nor the Mekong port system. So, just what is this guy referring to? Does he even know?

Trans Asian highway? He hasn't got a clue what he's in about.

[sfokevin]

And I say to you Prime Minister, you should allow foreigners who live here the right of residency, to be allowed to purchase 1 rai of land to build a home on and card that shows they are permanent residents.

Gee, the silence is deafening!

I think the Japanese that live and work in thailand are more concerned with keeping thier favorite Karaoke bars open and staffed...

[quandow]

You can shout from the mountain tops all you want, but investors of any nationality will place their money in safe bets, and that just ain't Thailand right now.

[Oziex1]

So did he talk about the rail line investments he is often quoted on?

[pisico]

And I say to you Prime Minister, you should allow foreigners who live here the right of residency, to be allowed to purchase 1 rai of land to build a home on and card that shows they are permanent residents.

Gee, the silence is deafening!

+ 1 !!! As soon as the General is through reading your post he will think about considering you suggestion when he is not busy micro-managing the trivial problems brought to him such as different uniforms for schools, encouraging Thais to eat more rice or moving transgressors of laws in government to non-active posts. Yes, that he will do....

[rametindallas]

You can shout from the mountain tops all you want, but investors of any nationality will place their money in safe bets, and that just ain't Thailand right now.

Oh, really?

http://www2.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2015/201501/150113a.html

http://www.kyowa-kirin.com/news_releases/2015/e20150409_01.html

.

[selftaopath]

YES!!!! All countries of the world.... give Thailand your money so the oligarchy can amass great wealth and the navy can buy "much needed" submarines.

Watch the dramatic shift in composure when "hand out" = humble.... "money in the hand" = hubris.

[selftaopath]

And I say to you Prime Minister, you should allow foreigners who live here the right of residency, to be allowed to purchase 1 rai of land to build a home on and card that shows they are permanent residents.

Gee, the silence is deafening!

I totally agree. But lets face it. Thailand is for Thais .... it's a ME ME ME ME culture/society. All they want from foreigners are money (West X pats) and bodies (Asian X pats).

I'm surprised there isn't a sign at the airport which reads.

"DEPOSIT all you money here" have a nice trip back home.