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Thai export market to grow under trade agreements with Peru, India, ASEAN
Waritchanan Towongphaiyont (3rd right), an
economist with the Commerce Ministry Bureau of Trade, poses for a
commemorative photo with other members of her economic committee.
Vittaya Yoondorn
Already worth more than $200 billion a year, Thailand’s exports are
set to grow even further over the next three years thanks to new bilateral
free-trade agreements and the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community, a
Commerce Ministry official told Pattaya-area exporters.
Speaking at a Nov. 22 seminar at the Montien Hotel in Pattaya, Waritchanan
Towongphaiyont, an economist with the ministry’s Bureau of Trade, said
agreements with Peru, India and across the Association of Southeast Asia
Nations region will open new markets for a growing number of Thai products.
The Thailand-Peru Free Trade Agreement takes effect Dec. 31, reducing duties
to zero on more than 3,800 Thai products. The success of the agreement, she
said, depends on knowledge and understanding of trade rights and rules,
especially rules of origin standards, which will determine if the Thai
products can be transshipped into the larger market in the United States.
Peru’s economy, Waritchanan said, is considered especially good, with top
exports including fishing equipment and minerals. The FTA, she said, will
push for free trade and trade support, services, investment and facilities
to increase convenience in transportation of products and services.
Likewise, the trade agreement in force with India is also set to expand, as
both sides have expanded the number of items covered from just 82 in 2005 to
all products now.
Therefore, officials expect an increase in opportunities in marketing and
creating an advantage for Thai products, particularly seeds, cosmetics,
jewelry, furniture, auto parts and tires.
The biggest gains, however, will come in 2015 from the AEC and ASEAN’s side
agreements with six other nations.
ASEAN eliminated duties on Jan. 1 in preparation for the launch of the AEC.
Side agreements with China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand
are also in the final stages.
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AFG looks into the future for the auto industry in Thailand
Dr. Roger Moser gives his presentation at the
November meeting of the Automotive Focus Group.
Dr. Iain Corness
The November meeting for the Automotive Focus Group (AFG) saw an
invitation extended to a Professor from the Swiss University of St Gallen,
Dr. Roger Moser.
The University of St. Gallen is one of the foremost business universities in
Europe and on a par-level with the very best institutions around the world
and through Dr. Moser has conducted studies for the Chinese and Indian auto
markets.
In China his research was done for business development for BMW, while the
Indian study was for the aerospace consortium EADS.
Dr. Moser is currently conducting a study into our automotive future, called
Thailand Automotive 2022. At the meeting he shared the first trends and some
interesting information about the methodology of this study.
Using his academic approach, Dr. Moser canvasses opinions from the captains
of industry, with an eye to looking at ‘probabilities’ rather than
attempting to be too specific. In this way he manages to obtain a consensus
and results in knowledge sharing, rather than knowledge protection.
By interpretation of the data he can, with a degree of confidence, point to
where the Thai auto industry will be heading in five years and then, with an
extended study, through to 10 years (2022).
The AFG members showed great interest in the proposed study, which will also
be joined by the Thai-European Business Association.
The sponsor for the evening was Ruwac GmbH of Germany who will set up a
factory on 3.2 rai of land in Amata Nakorn to assemble and manufacture
industrial vacuum machines and dust extraction systems for the Asia Pacific
markets. The factory will be set up and begin operation in July 2013 but
sales and service has been active already in Thailand since 2008. Ruwac Asia
operates throughout Asia with wholly owned subsidiaries in Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia and China.
In Europe, their customers in the automotive industry are all German car
manufacturers and the majority of components suppliers. Ruwac is recognized
in Germany as the technology leader in this field and according to a recent
survey more than 75 percent of all manufacturers in Germany are using Ruwac
industrial vacuums and solutions.
Following the lecture, the members adjourned to the observation deck above
the Pullman Pattaya Hotel G Beach Club and a most convivial networking
ensued. Top marks were given by all the members to the buffet and the free
flow of alcohol, to cool parched throats on a rather pleasantly warm
evening.
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