'Paving the way to be a regional trade hub'
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MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, the deputy prime minister in charge of the economy, said yesterday the new national agenda or the new way for Thailand to make a living is for it to become a major "trading nation" in the region.
The current government has to lay down all the foundations necessary for the transition for the new government to follow, he said.
Industry had already led the way for the county to become a trading nation within Asean by expanding their production bases to neighbouring countries due to rising labour costs here.
Thailand is following a similar path as Japan during its transition to a trading nation for the world.
The military government would support this apparent transition by amending rules and regulations to better attract foreign companies to open their international trading headquarters and manage their regional trading operations here.
“If we can upgrade all of our champion products, we will become one of the world’s trading nations and this is a new opportunity, a new way for us to make a living,” he said.
The government will ensure the Board of Investment can support local companies outside the country. His office is also working with the Finance Ministry to amend regulations to match those of Singapore and tear down the barriers blocking the country’s transition to a regional trading hub.
The digital economy concept is meant to support this transition along with the development of other economic engines, which will not be neglected throughout this transformation.
His office is waiting for Parliament to enact the new laws and regulations before the digital and trading nation plans can be put into full force, he added.
