Transfer of foreign technology to Thailand a key facet of EEC: top official

[webfact]

Transfer of foreign technology to Thailand a key facet of EEC: top official
By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM
THE NATION

 

Kanit Sangsubhan

 

BANGKOK: -- THE TRANSFER of technology is at the heart of Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and it is crucial to allow foreign investors some privileges to move the country’s economy forward, the head of the development group says.

 

 There has been concern that extended land-leases and other privileges for foreign investors may push Thailand into quasi-colonial status.

 

EEC committee secretary-general Kanit Sangsubhan said privileges for foreign investors were important to draw investment here, saying they would not only boost the economy but also help increase the transfer of technology.

 

“There is no need to be concerned about the privileges that the government will provide to foreign investors in the EEC, because most of these privileges, such as a 50-year land lease plus a 49- year extension, or allowing foreigners to occupy land in Thailand, have already been included in existing laws such as the Land Leasing for Commerce and Industry Act,” Kanit said.

 

“That means we have already provided these privileges to investors in industrial estates across Thailand and the reason that we mentioned them again in EEC bill is because investors don’t have to read lots of legislation to find these legal advantages.”

 

He said neighbouring countries provide similar privileges to investors.

 

“Malaysia, for instance, has created five large special economic zones, which can compare to our EEC but in a larger scale, and they also allow foreign investors to lease the land up to 99 years as well,” he said.

 

“These benefits for the investors come with an exchange of knowledge and technology, as we can learn from these investors and bring the technology that we learn from them to push forward our economic growth.”

 

He said this was why the government allows foreign investors to bring their specialists to work and live in Thailand, as they also bring knowledge and technology.

 

“This is why we focus on attracting the investors in 10 target industries, as we have planned to develop our economy on the technologies that the investors bring with them,” he said.

 

“Every country in the world requires new technology to spearhead their country’s development, so it is sensible that we trade some of our benefit to the precious technology for our country’s future.”

 

According to the EEC Bill, there are 10 target industries: modern automobile, robotics, electronics, aviation and logistics, upscale tourism, bio-fuels and biochemistry, agriculture and biotechnology, digital, food processing, and the medical industry.

 

Anusorn Tamajai, the dean of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics, said we must ensure that we prepare Thai workers to learn new technologies from foreign investors.

 

Anusorn said while it was fine to trade new technology for investor privileges, the advantage should be in the form of tax benefits, because it is negotiable for the fairest exchange.

 

Responding to concerns that new cities under the EEC plan will be modern colonies, Kanit explained that the plan was only in the initial stages and the cities were intended to support the urban expansion of Bangkok and Pattaya.

 

“We do have a plan to develop new cities within EEC special economic zones, but they are not towns for foreigners. They will be smart and modern towns for the new Thai generations, so they do not have to live crowded in already packed Bangkok or Pattaya.”

 

He said the new towns would be made up of international colleges, medical hubs, and well-planned transport systems, with links to Bangkok and Pattaya within 30 minutes’ travel time.

 

On the worry about land requirements for developing the EEC, Kanit said right now the focus development area was on public land such as Utapao Airport to create the first phase. There was still no clear plan about land allocation for the next phase yet.

 

“The EEC is only in the beginning phase and we do not have a plan to expropriate land from people. So, people should not worry about a massive land grab, because we consider the plan to buy land from private land owners and use public land to develop special economic zones,” he said.

 

“This will be just like an extension for the already existing Eastern Seaboard and we strongly believe the EEC will provide great economic benefit for our country.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30313940

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-05-02

[fruitman]

Let's start with the foreign technology called: electricity....

 

When will Thailand install that properly? Foreigners don't like dangerous electric systems, i dunno why...

[yellowboat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

There has been concern that extended land-leases and other privileges for foreign investors may push Thailand into quasi-colonial status.

Xenophobia at its most silly.  The Thai elites do not care for powerful, driven non Thais playing in their sandbox. 

[sweatalot]

it is crucial to allow foreign investors some privileges to move the country’s economy forward

 

yes some  privileges  ....

 

Why not treat them like Thai investors are treated in first (and second) world countries ?

 

... and only in order to move the country's economy forward

 

not because it has to do with equality and respect

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He said this was why the government allows foreign investors to bring their specialists to work and live in Thailand, as they also bring knowledge and technology.

If they were allowed to own their own house or more than 49% of their own company, that might work.

[Pib]

3 hours ago, fruitman said:

Let's start with the foreign technology called: electricity....

 

When will Thailand install that properly? Foreigners don't like dangerous electric systems, i dunno why...

 

Something definitely got lost in the translation when it comes to the foreign technology transfer of  electricity installation and safety.  No doubt the fault of the foreigners.

[fruitman]

 

3 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

Something definitely got lost in the translation when it comes to the foreign technology transfer of  electricity installation and safety.  No doubt the fault of the foreigners.

 

Even without any translation Western technology doesn't work in Thailand cause they refuse to use it.

 

When a granitecompany came to make my kitchencountertop i gave them the template for the stove to cut out  the granite. They refused to use it and started measuring themselves.

 

[Srikcir]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

He said neighbouring countries provide similar privileges to investors.

 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

That means we have already provided these privileges to investors in industrial estates across Thailand

What then is the purpose of the EEC Bill other than to repeat in one place all the benefits for foreign investment already being provided by "lots of legislation?"

Don't need a bill to do that. Just publish pamphlets. If pamphlets were good enough to explain the benefits of the 2016 draft constitution for the referendum for 60 million Thais, it should be enough for foreign investors.

[wakeupplease]

TRANSFER of technology

 

Here well that means the best friends who make sub subs will get it also.

 

You cannot trust someone who sells you a car here as he comes and nicks it back at night so would you boywonder with technology he can sell off cheap?