2008 Olympics may open doors in China
China playing host to the 2008 Olympic Games will enable Thai investors and manufacturers to explore more business opportunities in cities surrounding Beijing, particularly Hebei, where support industries, and the food and services sector in particular, have a great potential.
Thai-Chinese Promotion of Investment and Trade Association president Thanakorn Seriburi said yesterday that Thai investors could not compete with foreign investors from developed countries, which had already exhausted opportunities in heavy industries like steel. Thailand should instead focus on its strengths, such as support industries, food manufacturing, services and tourism. Such a strategy would well serve the high demand expected during the 2008 Olympic Games. The association held a seminar entitled "Business Opportunities in Hebei" in Bangkok yesterday, in order to provide more trade and investment information about Hebei province to Thai investors. Thanakorn said that province would be a key source of supply for Beijing and Tianjin, which are big metropolitan areas. The Chinese government has drawn up a development plan promoting Tianjin as a northern economic centre, in order to attract more foreign investment. Thanakorn, who is also in the top management of the Charoen Pokphand Group's Chinese operations, said the group had already established businesses for processed food and feed meal in China. "Many other Thai investors are interested in investing in China, such as whiskey tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who is planning to enter the liquor business," he said. "China is growing fast in terms of its economy and technology, and Thai investors should take the opportunity to focus more on investing there, not only for the local market, but also for export to third countries." Ji Yun Shi, governor of Hebei, said his province had already developed the necessary infrastructure to facilitate foreign investors. There are 22 highways, three ports, one international airport and 18 main railways passing through. In addition, Hebei is also part of China' Special Economic Zone, which includes Beijing and Tianjin. Hebei generated more than 100 billion yuan (Bt479 billion) in foreign-exchange revenues last year. Key industries include steel, machinery, petroleum, chemicals, food, medical equipment, construction, raw materials, textiles and garments.
Watcharapong Thongrung The Nation
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