JTBF Mission to Thailand 2010 (2/01-2/04)

Visit to OSOS Center (BOI)

reported by Hitomi Morita (Vice Chairman of JTBF)

Dr. Achaka(BOI SG) welcomed JTBF members and started with explaining current BOI status.

• At the same time in 2009, export dropped to half, which is now being recovered.
• Government is driving policies to improve unemployment problem. They drive 3 years plan to enhance logistics, infrastructure and educational system.
• BOI set 2008－2009 as the year of investment promotion. During this period, however, USA, EU and Japan suffered from the economical recession. In spite of the situation as such, investment amount was almost satisfactory for us. Economy crisis of Thailand outbroke in 1997 but recovered in 1999.
• In the mean time, we modified the incentive program putting more focus on ecology protection, energy saving and promotion of tourism. Investors receive more benefit than before.
• Since March 2009, BOI has successfully improved its foreign experts services through a substantial reduction of submission documents and working time for each application.
• Since April 2009, investment projects have recovered in number, especially in electronics, HDD and car industries. Companies increased investments in the area of energy (wind-power generation, biomass), transportation and electronics.
• By country, Japan keeps the top, followed by China.
• From now on, we intend to attract environment-friendly industries (ecology town, ecology industrial park, etc.).
• Implementation of Regional Operating Headquarter(ROH) is under assessment with involvement of Ministry of Finance. It aims at relaxation of procedures for approving positions and bringing in foreign experts.
• BOI is working on the new policy for 2010, namely "Investment for Sustainable Development".
• Coordination Committee was established under Prime Minister office as of January 12. It consists of 4 sections and Dr Achaka (BOI) was named chairman.
• Regarding to "Map Ta Phut", Ministry of Industry and BOI are working on the assessment.

Mr. T. Kitayama returned a greeting and made a thanks speech.

Ｑ＆Ａ are as follow.

• Trend of Chinese investment
  Investment for real estate is not clear. Most of investments are resources-base,such as tapioca, mining, construction of power generation plant.
• Expansion of BOI activities outside of Thailand
  It seems difficult because BOI activities are closely related with other ministries.
• On "Map Ta Phut"
  We must honor constitution and involve concerned parties. We will try to find the most feasible solution.

2 hours meeting, including lunch time, was not sufficient to cover all questions and answers. But, it was quite successful to exchange opinions in a friendly manner.