NMG, media partner host forum for execs eyeing

Dr Than Htut Aung, chairman and chief executive officer of Eleven Media, and Suthichai Yoon, chairman of NMG, yesterday co-hosted an informal forum for senior executives from leading Thai and international companies.
They include Loxley, Dhospaak Co, Thai Beverage, Thai AirAsia, Carabao Tawandang Co, Tawandang Brew House Co, Visa International (Asia Pacific), TOA-Chugoku Paints Co, Mitr Phol Sugar Corp, Air France and Fuji Group.
There were also top-level representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries.
Most executives expressed keen interest in establishing a foothold or expanding their investments in Myanmar, dubbed by some as the rising star of Asia. They pointed to the Myanmar people’s Buddhist faith and other commonalties with Thais.
“We see that people are very kind. They share many similarities to Thais, which is good because in the furniture industry, we also need craftsmanship,” said one executive.
Some businesspeople, nevertheless, raised concerns about the consistency of Myanmar’s investment and land-ownership laws. One executive suggested that Myanmar issue a visa on arrival to tourists at the Thai-Myanmar border as a way to promote tourism.