Guangxi seeks more Thai trade, investment
CHINA'S GUANGXI province has called on Thailand to strengthen trade and investment ties, saying it has great potential for growth as a gateway to China's interior.
After meeting with Peng Qinghua, Communist Party chief of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya said yesterday that Guangxi was inviting more Thai investment into its two new industrial estates.
“China wants more investment from Thailand and Asean under the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement. Guangxi, in the south of China, is a potential gateway for Thai enterprises as it is geographically close and is part of Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation area,” Chatchai said.
Thailand has also encouraged more Chinese enterprises to invest in this country, especially in the soon-to-be established special economic zones in border provinces. Thailand and Guangxi aim to streamline both sides’ import regulations on marine shipments. Thailand has called on Guangxi to expedite import procedures at its ports for Thai fruits, because such produce can deteriorate if such processes take too long.
According to the Commerce Ministry, two-way trade between Thailand and Guangxi was valued at US$491 million (Bt15.9 billion) last year, up by 61 per cent from 2013. Exports from Thailand were valued at $285 million.
