China invited to set up ASEAN research center in Bangkok

BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) - The Thai government has invited China to build an ASEAN start-up research center in Thailand. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees economic affairs, extended the invitation on Monday, as he is leading a Thai delegation of representatives from both the government and the private sector to Beijing and Shanghai during June 26-30 to woo more investors. The Thai delegation was scheduled to meet representatives of leading Chinese companies in information, telecommunications, machinery, electronic and automobile sectors. Thai Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj, who is also accompanying the deputy prime minister during his ongoing trip to China, told journalists that Huawei, China's leading digital technology firm, has accepted the Thai government's invitation to set up a 350-million-baht ASEAN technology research center in Bangkok to serve start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand, as they would need innovations and product tests. Pichet said the center would also transfer knowledge to Thai workers and was expected to train 80 persons annually. According to the minister, the center was set to be established within late this year and the Thai government is ready to offer best promotional privileges. The minister revealed that the Thai side proposed the center to be located at either the CAT building in Bang Rak area in Bangkok or the old Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on Ratchadaphisek Road in the capital. (TNA)