ID :
51896
Tue, 03/24/2009 - 07:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/51896
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THAILAND STILL ATTRACTIVE TO SWISS AND ITALIAN INVESTORS
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, March 23 (Bernama) -- Thailand remains attractive to Swiss and Italian investors even amid the global economic downturn, with total investment of Bt3.47 billion (US$107.4 million) from the two countries in the first two months of 2009.
According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the net applications
from Switzerland during January to February reached Bt1.43 billion (US$39.9
million), almost equal to its total applications in 2008 of Bt1.81 billion
(US$50.5 million).
Net applications from Italy during the same period totalled Bt2.04 billion
(US$56.9 million), surged over 202.5 percent from its total application in 2008
of Bt676 million (US$18.8 million).
The investment applications are mainly from manufacturing businesses
including energy-saving products, animal feed, electronic parts and
international procurement centres.
BOI secretary-general Dr Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble said even with the
global foreign direct investment (FDI) beginning to slow down due to the global
economic crisis, European investors still considered Thailand as one of the most
attractive destinations in the region.
"Some sectors still see prospective opportunities, such as green technology
and agro-industry. The European Union is currently the second top investor in
Thailand after Japan," said Atchaka who led a roadshow mission in Europe from
March 12 to 19.
During the mission, BOI executives also visited top European enterprises,
including Nestle and Michelin.
Meanwhile, the World Bank said in its "Thailand Infrastructure Annual Report
2008" that good and accessible infrastructure has played a major role in
Thailand's rapid economic development of the last three decades.
However, it said the country needed to focus more on the quality of its
infrastructure to catch up with economic development and international
competition, manage the growth in urban areas, respond to global energy prices,
and ensure basic services for the poor.
The World Bank said while the main electricity indicators exceeded
international standards, sources of fuel are a major concern as more than 60
percent of the primary supply are imported.
It also said that the telecommunications sector in Thailand was dominated by
mobile communications, with about 43 million mobile subscribers versus about
seven million fixed lines.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, March 23 (Bernama) -- Thailand remains attractive to Swiss and Italian investors even amid the global economic downturn, with total investment of Bt3.47 billion (US$107.4 million) from the two countries in the first two months of 2009.
According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the net applications
from Switzerland during January to February reached Bt1.43 billion (US$39.9
million), almost equal to its total applications in 2008 of Bt1.81 billion
(US$50.5 million).
Net applications from Italy during the same period totalled Bt2.04 billion
(US$56.9 million), surged over 202.5 percent from its total application in 2008
of Bt676 million (US$18.8 million).
The investment applications are mainly from manufacturing businesses
including energy-saving products, animal feed, electronic parts and
international procurement centres.
BOI secretary-general Dr Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble said even with the
global foreign direct investment (FDI) beginning to slow down due to the global
economic crisis, European investors still considered Thailand as one of the most
attractive destinations in the region.
"Some sectors still see prospective opportunities, such as green technology
and agro-industry. The European Union is currently the second top investor in
Thailand after Japan," said Atchaka who led a roadshow mission in Europe from
March 12 to 19.
During the mission, BOI executives also visited top European enterprises,
including Nestle and Michelin.
Meanwhile, the World Bank said in its "Thailand Infrastructure Annual Report
2008" that good and accessible infrastructure has played a major role in
Thailand's rapid economic development of the last three decades.
However, it said the country needed to focus more on the quality of its
infrastructure to catch up with economic development and international
competition, manage the growth in urban areas, respond to global energy prices,
and ensure basic services for the poor.
The World Bank said while the main electricity indicators exceeded
international standards, sources of fuel are a major concern as more than 60
percent of the primary supply are imported.
It also said that the telecommunications sector in Thailand was dominated by
mobile communications, with about 43 million mobile subscribers versus about
seven million fixed lines.
-- BERNAMA
