Thailand needs to restructure to promote trade, investment: official
Thailand needs to restructure the export, import and investment sectors to cope with mounting external risks, particularly from the ongoing trade war, the Brexit impasse and the international geopolitical situation, said Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent commerce secretary.
Thailand needs to restructure the export, import and investment sectors to cope with mounting external risks.(Photo: thethaiger.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand needs to restructure the export, import andinvestment sectors to copewith mounting external risks, particularly from the ongoing trade war,the Brexit impasse and the international geopolitical situation, said Boonyarit Kalayanamit,permanent commerce secretary.
Boonyarit chaired a meeting on October 7, during which participants said Thailandshould work to benefit from a stronger baht, for example importing more rawmaterials which are cheaper.
Themeeting also concluded that regulations to promote the import of rawmaterials need to be amended, while measures or incentives to lure more foreigndirect investments, particularly in high technology and innovations, should beintroduced.
Theproposal will be submitted to the Joint Public and Private SectorConsultative Committee on Commerce's meeting, chaired by Commerce MinisterJurin Laksanawisit.
Boonyarit said Thailand shouldalso resume free tradeagreement (FTA) negotiations with the EU to retain the country's exportcompetitiveness. He noted thatthe European bloc pursued FTA negotiations with other ASEAN nations, signing pacts withSingapore and Vietnam.
Thailandneeds to settle trade talks as soon as possible, including the RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership and bilateral pacts with Turkey, Sri Lankaand Pakistan, he said.
Kriengkrai Thiennukul, vice-chairman of theFederation of Thai Industries, said the ongoing trade war between China and theUS, the Brexit impasse, and Hong Kong protests have affected trade, finance andinvestment confidence worldwide.
Accordingto him, weaker confidence has sent Thai manufacturing, exports andglobal demand into a tailspin./..
Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced its economic growth forecast for the country from 3.3 percent to 2.8 percent in 2019 and from 3.7 percent to 3.3 percent in the next year.
Thailand’s economic growth in the third quarter is likely to improve from the second quarter’s reading, mainly thanks to positive tourism growth and the government’s economic stimulus measures, according to the Bank of Thailand.
Thailand has revised the number of foreign tourists it expects to welcome this year down from 40.1 million to 39.7 million, citing impact of the global economic slowdown and the stronger baht.
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has said the ministry is pushing for cuts in tariffs on branded products to foster tourism sector – a key economic sector of the county.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
Thailand needs to restructure the export, import and investment sectors to cope with mounting external risks.(Photo: thethaiger.com) 
