Wednesday, November 22, 2006

In spite of Cham Prasidh's effort to woo them, Thai investors say Cambodia is too unstable. Do the Thai know something that Hun Sen doesn't?

Wednesday November 22, 2006
Thai investors say Cambodia is too unstable

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS
Bangkok Post


Despite sound investment incentives and healthy economic growth in Cambodia this year, Thai investors claim the neighbouring country's unstable political situation and broken bureaucracy make it too risky to invest in. "It will take some time for Thai companies to lay investments in economic zones in Cambodia. Politics is a main condition," said Phairush Burapachaisri, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has served as the country's leader in some fashion for the past 21 years. The Cambodian economy grew 8.5% last year, and will likely grow 6% this year, according to the Asian Development Bank.

Mr Phairush, together with more than 100 leading Thai businessmen, attended a Cambodian roadshow designed to promote investments in nine economic zones, including Poipet, Koh Kong, Kampot, Stoeng Hav and Sihanoukville.

About 40 private sector representatives led by Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh approached Thai companies to set up labour-intensive investments to produce garment, household products and agricultural goods in order to enjoy trade preferences Cambodia receives when it exports these items to 28 developed countries.

Under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) system, selected Cambodian goods enjoy low import duties when sold to developed nations, Mr Cham Prasidh said. The minister added that investments would be win-win as Thai businesses could enjoy the tax advantages, while Cambodia would have more jobs, reducing the number of illegal workers who enter Thailand in search of work.

Cambodia has 2,073 garment factories, and the value of foreign direct investment is expected to reach US$3.036 billion this year, Mr Cham Prasidh said.

Thai Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet urged Thai businessmen to consider Cambodia as new investment opportunity, as it recently joined the World Trade Organisation.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It didn't not take much to figure out or did it?

Doesn't Mr. Hun Sen know that Thai did away with their old Priminister and Yet, our intelligent PM is still playing golf with The Thacksin. That is to say how smart our PM is!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps the Thai have stay close contacts with Hun Sen's opponents, and believe they are capable of stirring things up.

SiS

Anonymous said...

Thai never does things from their intrinsic thinking. What they do is to take take advantages over others.

How much Thai know about their history? and how they know they are exaggerating their history?

If they know this well, they should not make any comment on other countries' issues.What is main purpose of doing so?

Anonymous said...

Sure...but you never have problems dealing with Pol Pot, Ta Mok, Son Sen, etc, what's the problem now?

Anonymous said...

shit brain!

Anonymous said...

It not about convincing other country to invest in Cambodia. The idea is good, but not sustainable until the CPP/Hun Sen government properly introduce the Anti-corrutpion law, unless they introduce sound business laws and taxing systems to ensure that not only foreign business gain from investing in Cambodia, but Cambodian people also gain something from the system...not a minor fews CPP governement official or those affiliate to the Hun Sen family..

So stop with the quick fix or quick get rich scheme ...start introducing proper long term planning...for the Country's developments.

E.g Angkor Wat earning...where does the income go? if you keep using and NOT maintaining there won't be any Angkor left for your toUrist $ OR for your childrens.