The Japan External Organisation yesterday hinted that Japanese investors are still optimistic about the investment climate in this country despite holding reservations over the Map Ta Phut mess.
Jetro Bangkok will on Friday release the results of its survey on Japanese investor confidence in Thailand during the second half of last year.
However, Japanese investors also want the government to accelerate finding ways to unfreeze the suspended projects in the Map Ta Phut area as well as set clear-cut rules and regulations in order to make Thailand more attractive for doing business.
After meeting with Munenori Yamada, president of Jetro Bangkok, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said yesterday that Japanese investors still have high confidence in doing business and investing here, despite the Map Ta Phut episode.
Jetro's latest survey showed that Japanese investors also are concerned about some unclear regulations such as the Foreign Business Act, customs procedures and complicated taxation systems, she said.
"Japan has a good understanding of the environmental problem as they had faced the problem before Thailand. They understand how the current situation arose in the Kingdom and are satisfied with the government's solutions," she said.
Yamada also reiterated that Japanese investors are prepared to follow the court's decision and comply with the measures that would be enforced. He insisted that no Japanese company would withdraw from Thailand.
However, Jetro wants the problem to be cleared up as soon as possible so that Japanese firms could make a decision on what direction they would take.
Porntiva said new Japanese investors also see Thailand as an appealing destination due to its good basic infrastructure and high efficiency in facilitating foreign investors here.
