Yingluck seeks foreign stakes for mega-projects

In a recent development, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra asked investors from China and Hong Kong to invest more in Thailand’s alternative energy, infrastructure and processed agriculture industries – including water-resource management projects. She said the move was aimed at strengthening links between China and the Asean region.

The prime minister’s comments came following a visit to Thailand by China’s commerce vice chairman and members of the China Federation of Industry. Hong Kong’s China Chamber of Commerce president, Chen Jing Wei, who also attended with his team, said China was ready to invest in such projects, particularly those aimed at boosting its position in the Asean Economic Community (AEC), when it comes into effect in 2015. He also expressed confidence in the Thai economy.

In another move, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt also convinced UK investors to jointly invest in the country’s infrastructure. Following a seminar yesterday on “The United Kingdom and its Expertise in Large-Sized Infrastructure Projects”, Chadchart discussed Thailand’s mega-projects with the British minister for trade and investment, Lord Green, who expressed an interest in projects involving the rail system. 

 

Thai-UK group  

A Thailand-United Kingdom joint working group will be set up soon to exchange information and share experience before a Memorandum of Understanding is signed. Next week, Chadchart will also sign a cooperation agreement with France. 

“The UK’s strength lies in a success of Public-Private Partnerships, or PPPs, in which Thailand has little experience. We can therefore learn from them,” Chadchart said.