The government has been asked by Japanese investors to host a meeting with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Burma during the upcoming Asean Economic Minist
"Thailand is considered by Japanese investors a gateway to neighbouring countries. They have a strategy of expanding trade and investment to Asean nations, in order to compensate for lower trade with other developed countries," Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said yesterday.
At a meeting with Munenori Yamada, president of the Japan External Trade Organisation in Bangkok, she agreed to organise a group talk with neighbouring countries during the 41st AEM from August 12-16.
Japanese investors also reaffirmed they would continue to expand in Thailand in the belief the slump here was bottoming out.
Porntiva said that due to fears about the fast-spreading type-A (H1N1) flu, some foreign investors had cancelled visits under the Thailand Best Friend Project.
So far, only 53 high-level officers of leading import companies abroad have confirmed their travel here to conduct business matching with local partners.
The ministry hopes to attract 80 executives from abroad to participate in the Thailand Best Friends project.
The event is aimed at tightening cooperation with leading international importers, in order to raise their orders from Thailand.
It is also expected to generate up to Bt10 billion in immediate sales.
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