Ministry will arrange field trips to SEZs for foreign officials
PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE COMMERCE Ministry will next year invite ambassadors, consuls, representatives from foreign chambers of commerce, and foreign enterprises for a trip visit to 10 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as part of strategy to draw more investment from overseas.

Adul Chotinisakorn, deputy director-general to the Foreign Trade Department, said as part of the government's plan to promote investment in SEZs, the ministry will increase understanding among foreign government officials, and business people about the project by inviting them for a field visit.

The government will also provide a leaflet or a guidebook about 10 SEZs for foreign officials and investors so that they will know where the 10 zones are, what benefits and privileges they can get, and how those special zones will link to neighbouring countries.

The guidebook will be distributed to investors and Thai trade representatives overseas for handling to foreign firms in targeted nations worldwide.

The field trip by foreign officials and investors would not only show them each SEZ, but would also help with business matching with local enterprises, as well as discuss their problems or concerns so that the government can listen and try to find solutions to facilitate further investment.

Adul said that the ministry has previously organised a trip for Thai and some foreign enterprises to Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla. That had good outcomes as the government can cooperate with the private sector to explore the SEZ and help address any problems - and find ways to promote cross-border investment and trade between Thailand and Malaysia.

The government has announced it will develop 10 SEZs in 10 provinces - Tak, Sa Kaew, Mukdahan, Songkhla, Trat, Nong Khai, Narathiwat, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, and Kanchanaburi.

Targeted industrial clusters that the government would like to promote in those SEZs include agriculture, fishery and related industries, plus ceramic production, textiles, garments, leather goods, furniture, jewellery and ornaments, medical equipment, automobiles, machinery and parts, electric appliances and electronics, plastics, pharmaceutical, logistic businesses, industrial estates, and tourism support businesses.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Ministry-will-arrange-field-trips-to-SEZs-for-fore-30273515.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-23

For the first few industries listed, that ship has sailed Somchai. CLMV countries have them covered. Semi-skilled industries, Malaysi / Indonesia / Phil have them covered. Sorry Thailand.