Charnchai confident of Bt10-bn

He said the target industries would be service, tourism, metal, rubber, automotive, processed food, and industrial estates. However, one of his main focuses is to seek Chinese investors to develop industrial estates to produce rubber in the Northeast.

"In two years, our rubber production will surge drastically in the Northeast region. What we try to do is to find potential investors to make processed rubber in order to create more value in this industry before exporting," he said.

During the roadshow, the Board of Investment (BoI) will also hold "Thailand Means Business" seminars, at which more than 500 Chinese investors and executives from the World Eminence Chinese Business Association will participate.

According to BoI's statistics, Chinese investors submitted four projects in the first two months of this year with total value of Bt84 million, up from Bt17 million in the same period last year.

BoI secretary-general Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble said the BOI would also hold the opening ceremony of its new office in Beijing, which is the second one in China , in this roadshow. It will open a third China office in August.

"The trend of Chinese investment in Thailand has increased every year. Therefore, we decided to open two more offices in China this year in a bid to lure Chinese investment," she said.

In this road show, she said, Chinese Giants such as Tsingtao Brewery Group, Hai-er and Foton will meet Charnchai and senior officials to discuss their investment plans in the Kingdom.

By mid-year, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to lead Thailand's economic team to visit China in order to restore confidence and promote trade, investment and tourism.

Wallop Taisiri, director of Thailand Automotive Institute, said Foton, the world's largest truck and bus-maker, was interested in setting up a production base in Thailand, where the supply chain and auto-parts industry are solid.

Theparak Luengsuwan, executive director of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, said now was a good time for Thai investors to expand their business or seek material resources in China, such as for the sugar and garment industries.