PM lures investment from Korea

In her speech during a luncheon meeting hosted by the South Korea's four leading business organisations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), in Seoul, she announced that the Thai economy would expand 5.5-6 per cent this year, supported by strong economic fundamentals despite the flood disaster last year.
 To over 450 attendees, she said that with solid fiscal status, Thailand is able to launch policies to promote investment. While corporate tax rate would be axed to 23 per cent this year and 20 per cent next year, tax incentives are available to encourage the establishment of regional headquarters in the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the government has set aside a budget of US$72 billion or about Bt216 billion for mega projects, like a speed train project from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and a deep-sea port in Dawei, which would improve Thailand's linkage with Asean and South Asia.
 She is convinced that the projects would strengthen Thailand's position as a hub for Asean and draw more investment. 
 She invited Korean investors to pour investment into value-added industries like ectronics and electrical appliances, automobile, machinery, alternative energy and agricultural processing industries. They were also urged to invest in R&D activities, software and entertainment businesses.
 Attending the luncheon were executives of large-sized Korean companies like Samsung, LG Electronics, Hyundai, Korea Water Resources Corp, SM Entertainment and Korea Railroad Corp (KORAIL).
 After the luncheon, Yingluck also provided the one-on-one discussion with interested companies, like LG, Samsung and Union Steel.