หน้าหลัก ส่งบทความให้เพื่อน พิมพ์หน้านี้ แบ่งปันใน Facebook BoI rethinks ideas to lure back investors

Japan first stop on promotional tour

VICHAYA PITSUWAN AND NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG

The Board of Investment (BoI) will consider a major strategic revamp in a bid to revive investor confidence that has been damaged by political tensions that culminated in the eight-day seizure of Bangkok's two airports.

Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble, the BoI secretary-general, said officials would meet next week to set new directions to win back investors.

Plans for promotional roadshows will also be prioritised. "In early January we should first visit Japan to explain [the situation in Thailand] to investors there," she said.

"We will promptly affirm that the negative occurrences in the past caused only a short-term impact on the business environment in Thailand."

After Japan, BoI officials will tour Europe, the United States, China and Australia to explain conditions and promote the incentives available to investors.

More destinations will be added as Mrs Atchaka said the BoI aimed to reach out to new markets such as North African and Middle Eastern investors as well.

"We have also employed consulting agencies to help us with promotional strategy for attracting more investment," she said.

"Together with the support we hope to receive from foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand, whom I plan to meet next week, much business confidence should be won back."

She acknowledged that increased incentives in some industries may be necessary to lure investors.

"Adding more incentives will be reconsidered, given the current global economic slowdown and the local situation. The BoI will have to work harder to make Thailand more attractive to foreign investors. We are preparing to introduce a special package to promote the tourism industry."

As well, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will receive credit support to expand their investment, with research and development funding worth 47 million baht from the BoI.

Foreign investors say it will take a long time to assess the consequences of higher political risk in Thailand, since they expect political strife to persist, said Fukujiro Yamabe, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok.

"We have to wait and see who is going to be the new prime minister because the PAD might protest again. As well, divisions among the Thai people remain," Mr Yamabe.

"There are more risks that (political) instability would disrupt our business in the next five to 10 years. Foreign companies have to take time to think about damages or trouble that might occur. The closure of the airports is something we cannot forget."

Mr Yamabe called on the BoI to urgently explain conditions in Thailand to the outside world. "The BoI would also have to analyse what types of risks exist here."

He applauded the Bank of Thailand's move this week to cut its benchmark interest rate by a record 100 basis points to spur economic growth. "It might not be enough to recover the economy but it is a good decision."

Karl-Heinz Heckhausen, the former chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, said business executives in Thailand and state agencies needed to discuss initiatives to regain investors' confidence.