Thailand, Alibaba sign MoUs

BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) -- Thailand and Chinese E-commerce giant Alibaba Group signs four memorandum of understanding (MoUs) on investment, tourism cooperation and development projects in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The agreement signings were witnessed Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, founder and CEO of Alibaba Group Jack Ma and Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Lyu Jian on Thursday. Under one of the MoUs signed with government agencies of Thailand, Alibaba Group agrees to launch investment project for the setting up of a smart digital hub using Alibaba’s logistic information technology to support shipment of products between Thailand and China and the rest of the world. The project will also help Thai SMEs to have access to worldwide market. Alibaba will work with Thailand to open a human resource development center in the fields of digital and e-commerce. It also will provide E-commerce skill training for Thai SMEs and startups. On tourism, Alibaba will cooperate with the Thai Tourism Authority in developing Thailand Tourism Platform which will link up with database via different media. Mr Somkid commented that Alibaba’s investment would help Thailand’s economy leaping forward and the timing was perfect as Thailand had undergone transformation to digital economy. Alibaba would lend a hand for bridging local businesses in Thailand to the world, Mr Somkid said. Mr Ma said Alibaba were not here to “occupy Thailand” or “take away the jobs." “We are interested in and focusing on enabling entrepreneurs and partners in Thailand," he said. Alibaba would continue to embrace free market ideology, not aiming at protectionism or monopoly, said Mr Ma. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Ma and the company’s executives met Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House to discuss their investment plans and cooperation. (TNA)