Prayuth meets Japanese executives

Prayuth gave that message after meeting with Shigenobu Nagamori, founder and chief executive of  Nidec Corporation, NCPO spokeswomen Colonel Sirichan Ngathong told a press conference.

Nagamori is an honorary adviser to the Board of Investment (BOI) and representatives from local electronics companies.

Prayuth thanked Nagamori for the interest Japan has shown in existing and potential investments in Thailand, especially in the designated SEZs, including those along the borders, which have been given priority by the NCPO for establishment and development to facilitate trade and investment under the Asean Economic Community (AEC). 

With the solid foundation and long history of trade and investment between the two countries, Thailand is committed to retaining existing Japanese investments, factories and businesses with attractive privileges, tax incentives, an insurance fund for tourists, one-stop state-agency service centres and the facilitation of visa-related matters. 

The NCPO is in the process of laying the foundation of a stable political environment that will support a favourable climate for future Japanese investment, businesses, technology transfer, labour-skills development, employment of more local managers, and local content for the mutual benefit of both countries in a sustainable manner for the long term, Prayuth said.

On Monday, Hisamichi Koga, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, and the executive directors of the JCC held their second meeting with Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, the NCPO deputy in charge of economic affairs.

Koga said that during the process of setting up the provisional government, the JCC keenly recognised that it must offer suggestions and information regarding the current economic situation from the business viewpoint, so that any economic measures or policies might not put industries at a disadvantage. 

The JCC has decided to continue its dialogue with Prajin to push for implementation of its proposals and learn about progress regarding the JCC’s requests from time to time.

At the meeting, the JCC reported the results of a business survey in the first half of this year, followed up on its request made on July 9 and lodged a new request regarding relaxation of the schedule for the BOI’s new investment strategy, which will be implemented on January 1. 

The JCC urged measures to improve the fairness and transparency of procedures to help eliminate corruption – and offered detailed suggestions on how it could help with this.

“We hope that the NCPO will conser the following points again,” he said.

Kanetsugu Mike, vice chairman of Bank of Ayudhya and senior manager of the global business unit of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, said at a seminar called “Thailand Focus” yesterday that Asean was the main focus of Japan’s growth strategy. Thailand remains an attractive destination because its possesses a geographic advantage, situated right in the centre of the Greater Mekong Subregion.