THAILAND INVESTMENT FOOTPRINT

Why is Thailand today an ideal investment location?

Whatever your business or industry – in Thailand you benefit from a well developed infrastructure, low cost labour, trained skill base on every level and an excellent logistics network by sea and air.

AFTA and Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with regional countries are in place. Easy capital flow in and out of Thailand. Attractive investment incentives with tax and other concessions and free trade zones.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Foreign investors confident in Thailand

Bernama, Malaysia's News Agency:

Foreign investors are still confident about investing in Thailand although the political standoff continues to intensify, according to Board of Investment (BoI) Secretary-GeneralAtchaka Sibunruang, Thai News Agency reported Thursday.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Japanese Study shows reasons to invest in Thailand

Thailand's Advantages

A survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that Thailand was the “most optimal location for establishing a production/sales base in the coming 5-10 years.”

There are many reasons why Thailand is an intelligent choice for the investor. Below are just a few.

* Thailand has quality international schools, an excellent health care system and friendly cooperative people.
* Thailand boasts the largest growth market in Asia.
* Thailand has recently attracted a great deal of foreign investment. It is one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the area.
* Thailand is one of the least expensive places to fly to in Asia.
* The country has strong business ties with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns.
* Property is far cheaper in Thailand than other countries and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in Thailand.
* Rental potential is great, due to increased government spending luring growing numbers of tourists.
* No capital gains tax for private investors, and low ongoing taxes.
* Today foreigners are regarded by the government as a big investment opportunity in Thailand.


Gateway to Asia

Thailand enjoys a strategic location at the heart of Asia – home to what is regarded today as the largest growing economic market.
Thailand serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia and the Greater Mekong sub-region, where newly emerging markets offer great business potential. From Thailand, it is convenient to trade with China, India and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has a cumulative population of more than 500 million


Hub of ASEAN

Thailand was one of the founding members of ASEAN and has been instrumental to the formation and development of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). As a member of ASEAN, Thailand has forged closer economic cooperation with ASEAN member nations, and Thai manufactured products and services have access to the markets of ASEAN, which includes all 10 ASEAN countries. ASEAN is home to more than half a billion people, GDP in excess of US$700 billion and intra-ASEAN trade of more than US$1 trillion per year.


Social and political stability

Thailand is a welcoming Buddhist country. The country's form of government – constitutional monarchy – allows democratic processes and reforms, and is balanced by the Thai people's peace-loving nature, high reverence for the Thai Monarchy, and devotion to the teachings of Buddhism. While the vast majority of the people in Thailand are Buddhist, all religions are welcome, and His Majesty the King is the patron of all religions.


Growing economy

Economically, this country of 64 million people is characterized by steady growth. Abundant natural resources and a skilled and cost-effective work force helps attract foreign investment, enables them to prosper and help develop industry in Thailand.


Sufficient infrastructure

Thailand has good infrastructure for foreign investors. Improved and modernized transportation facilities, as well as upgraded communications and IT networks, ensure optimum business and living conditions. State-of-the-art industrial estates boast sophisticated facilities and superior services.


FDI policies

The country's well-defined investment policies focus on liberalization and encourage free trade. Foreign investments, especially those that contribute to the development of skills, technology and innovation are actively promoted by the government. Thailand consistently ranks among the most attractive investment locations in international surveys, and a 2006 World Bank report indicated that Thailand was the 4th easiest country in Asia in which to do business, and the 20th easiest in the world.


Government support and incentives

Numerous government agencies support investors. Through the Board of Investment, the government offers a range of tax incentives, support services and import duty concessions available to an extensive list of businesses that are regarded as priority or promoted activities.

Through the Board of Investment, there are no foreign equity restrictions in the manufacturing sector, no local content requirements, and no export requirements, as Thailand's investment regime is in total compliance with WTO regulations.

The Board of Investment also coordinates the activity of the One-Stop Service Center for Visas and Work Permits, which enables foreign staff of BOI-promoted companies to obtain work permits and long-term visas within 3 hours or less.
Other government organizations, like the Department of Export Promotion, and international chambers of commerce, provide invaluable support and a host of other important services.


Long – established and newly emerging industries

With strong economic development and strong support industries, the country's industrial production has grown and diversified rapidly both in the long –established and newly emerging industries.

The government has placed emphasized on attracting investment in 6 key sectors that have been determined as key to the country's developmental objectives. These six target industries include: agriculture and agro-industry, alternative energy, automotive, electronics and ICT, fashion, and value-added services including entertainment, healthcare and tourism.


Friendly and rich culture

Thailand has gained a well-known reputation throughout the world for its gracious hospitality. The friendliness of its people and the diverse nature of Thai culture make visitors feel at home in Thailand.


Education and healthcare services

Thailand 's educational standards are accepted by many international examining bodies, while its universities are outstanding in many fields. A great number of international schools and colleges offer world-class education.

In terms of healthcare, the country has developed a good reputation globally, due to its internationally qualified doctors and medical staff, and modern facilities and equipment. It is so good that one of the fastest-rising tourism sectors is medical tourism, with international patients visiting Thailand to take advantage of Thailand's world-class and extremely affordable health care system.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Thailands Top 10 Imports and Exports

Labour Cost in Thailand

Compare that to Euro or US level – Thailand offers a savings of a factor 5 to 10….

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Growth areas for the next five years

KPMG has identified the main growth areas for the next 5 years:

IRISH TIMES: Cost of Labour: Biggest concern in Ireland

THE COSTS of labour is the biggest concern among small businesses in Ireland in spite of almost half of them having already cut their total pay bills, a survey from the Small Firms Association (SFA) has found.

The Main Reasons why Thailand is an Desirable Investment location


PROPERTYSHOWROOMS.COM has identified the Main Reasons why Thailand is a Desirable Investment Location:

  • An exotic long haul destination, Thailand is also a sophisticated tourist destination with a great universal appeal
  • For thousands of people who have worked in Asia for many years, Thailand is an attractive retirement destination, in which the living environment will feel familiar
  • Retirement visas are available for foreigners over 50 years of age, according to financial means
  • Thailand has good schools, an efficient health care system and it is seen as a friendly country in which to live or visit
  • Thailand boasts beautiful mountains, dense forests and stunning beaches.
  • With a tropical climate and cities teeming with culture and colour, Thailand entices visitors back each year
  • Warm weather for winter holidaymakers between November and February
  • The relatively undiscovered nature of Thailand means that property prices here remain far below those in the more established European markets, although they are set to continue growing quickly
  • Thailand is the largest growth market in Asia. Increasing numbers of businesses choose Thailand as a regional base from which to keep their employees working all around Asia.
  • Thailand has recently attracted significant foreign investment. It has become one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the region
  • The completion of the Suvarnabhumi-Bangkok International Airport (SBIA) has precipitated growth in commercial property markets in eastern Bangkok as well as made Thailand even more accessible by air
  • Thailand is one of the cheapest places to fly to in Asia
  • The country has strong business links with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns
  • Property is much cheaper in Thailand than elsewhere and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in Thailand. Property investors who bought post 1999 have witnessed impressive capital growth, particularly in major cities.
  • Rental potential is great, due to increased government spending luring growing numbers of tourists
  • No capital gains tax for private investors, and low ongoing taxes
  • Today, foreigners are regarded by the government as a big investment opportunity in Thailand and they are actively welcomed and encouraged to invest
  • The waving of Stamp Duty and transfer fees are regarded as enticements for foreign buyers

Friday, March 19, 2010

Automotive Focus Group Thailand


The Automotive Focus Group Thailand is a great forum for Automotive networking in Thailand and affiliated with AUSTCHAM Thailand.

GRANT THORNTON: Over half of global business owners are feeling increasingly stressed, Thailand the second lowest in Asia

Very interesting release from Grant Thornton about the stress levels of companies in Asia:

"More than half of leaders of privately held businesses (PHBs) globally (56%) feel their stress
levels have increased over the last year. The research from the Grant Thornton International
Business Report (IBR) 2010 covers the opinions of over 7,400 business owners across 36
economies. Mainland China tops the league for the most stressed leaders"… Check out the rest of the information here.

Be sure to check out the stress level graph below - it's really interesting!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Check out our new Faceboook Page

THAILAND INVESTMENT FOOTPRINT now runs a Facebook page….check it out.

Mazda2 sedan is driving market share

Mazda expects its share in the local automotive market will more than double this year thanks to the success of the new Mazda2 subcompact.

The automotive market is projected to grow to 610,000 units this year, and optimists expect the figure could even reach 650,000 if the economy continues to recover.

Tour the NIKON camera plant in Thailand

Just a little over five years ago I joined a small group of Thai journalists on a tour of the Nikon Factory, just outside of Bangkok, Thailand. Little did Nikon realize that this story would get international coverage on the internet and give a rare glimpse of their manufacturing process to Nikon fans around the world.



BANGKOK POST: First Eco-car revealed

This all-new global small car from Nissan being launched at the Geneva motor show this week is coming to Thailand on Mar 12 in the guise of the country's first Eco-car.



BANGKOK POST: Auto Alliance Thailand to double production of MAZDA cars

Mazda Sales Thailand will introduce the Mazda2 sedan on Tuesday after successfully launching the Mazda2 five-door hatchback, which has been met by a flurry of orders.

Auto Alliance Thailand $ 500 Mio new plant launch

Ford Motor Company and Mazda Motor Corporation launched the official opening of a new US$500 million passenger car plant at their joint-venture manufacturing facility, AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT). 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES: GM to spend $455 million on Thai expansion

General Motors Corp announced plans on Friday to spend 15 billion baht ($455 million) in Thailand over the next two years, reviving plans for a new diesel-engine plant and retooling existing production lines.

BANGKOK POST: Industrial demand is returning to Thailand

In early 2010, manufacturing demand and thus production levels are improving in Thailand. From the low points of mid-2009, durable goods' consumption, production and exports have all begun to pick up.