TCC backs refocus to Asean markets 

As part of the strategy to ship more exports to Asean, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak will lead representatives of more than 40 private enterprises to visit Myanmar early next month.
Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and the TCC, said he and |other chamber members would join the government’s mission |to Myanmar on February 2 and 3 in a bid to form closer ties between the government and private sectors of the two countries.
“Political changes in the EU are a worry for Thailand’s trading situation, and this country needs to monitor Trump’s policies closely. Thus Thailand urgently needs to penetrate Asian and Asean markets. 
“Many trade missions to Asean countries will be undertaken this year, starting |with Laos and Myanmar, in a|bid to increase trade and investment opportunities with these emerging economies,” Isara said.
On average, the gross domestic products of Asean countries will grow by 5-6 per cent each year, which means that Thai enterprises should cash in on this growth by strengthening trade and investment in those countries, he said.
Somkid’s mission to Myanmar next month will indicate to that country a clear plan for Thailand’s involvement in the development of three transportation routes between the two countries. These are the Engdu-Thaton, Singkhon-Myeik and Punam Ron-Dawei routes.
Moreover, Thailand will |support the upgrading of  Myawaddy Industrial Zone in Myanmar to a special economic zone to enhance trade with Thailand’s own SEZs.
Border trade between Thailand and Myanmar was worth Bt209 billion in the first 11 months of last year.