US contracts open to all Thai firms, say officials
Thai firms of any size can take advantage of the US government's procurement drive, say American officials who insist there is no special treatment for US companies.
Thai corporations can win primary contracts, subcontracts or supplier contracts for the US government's investment projects abroad, Mark Lumer, contracting executive of the US Army Space and Missile Defence Command, said yesterday. Lumer leads a US delegation that is organising contract training for Thai companies looking for business opportunities. His team is touring a number of US coalition countries that are providing support for reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan. Local private companies can also win contracts related to military exercises in Asean, according to US official. Ann Bacher, commercial counsellor at the US Embassy in Bangkok, said Thai firms could also network with companies in other countries for American contracts. Lumer said the US government did not favour indigenous firms, giving equal opportunities to all. He suggested Thai firms focus on fields in which they have expertise when making bids. He said non-US firms from 15 countries - Australia, Singapore and European nations among them - had won primary procurement from the US.Thai firms have to register before being allowed to participate in bidding, and registrations can be done at the Anoma Hotel in Bangkok today. Participation in the bidding is free, he said, but if Thai construction companies want to go to Iraq, they would have to factor in expenses for protecting their personnel and property. However, if they limit their role to that of supply, there will be no security-related expenditure. The Comptroller-General Department, which has jointly organised a training workshop on US procurement contracts - held yesterday and today at the Anoma Hotel - believes Thai companies can benefit from such business opportunities. "The department will facilitate Thai firms wishing to venture abroad, and direct contracts from the US will be a big help," said Sompong Hirikul, adviser to caretaker Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn. He believes that Thai companies hold a competitive edge in bidding for contracts related to construction, power distribution and other public utilities in Iraq and elsewhere. Reconstruction of Iraq alone is estimated to cost around Bt736 billion, said Sompong. One workshop participant said his company was looking for opportunities to supply the US with electrical cables.
Wichit Chaitrong The Nation
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