Japan maintains investment base in Thailand

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - The Japan-Thailand Joint Trade and Economic Committee has confirmed that Japan will not withdraw its production and investment base from Thailand, while the world's second largest developed economy is also ready to help develop infrastructures in the Kingdom. Eizo Kobayashi and Toshiyuki Shiga, Chairman and Co-chairman respectively of the committee under the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), expressed the stance on Tuesday at a meeting with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House. Kobayashi said the stance has resulted from Thailand's positive factors, including the more stable political situation now, established infrastructure systems and mutual trust between Tokyo and Bangkok. Kobayashi also thanked Prime Minister General Prayut for restoring stability and mechanisms in Thailand. According to the Keidanren chair, Japan is ready to take part in further developing infrastructure systems in Thailand and he believes that the Thai prime minister's upcoming visit to Japan, scheduled for February 8-10, should be successful. The Thai prime minister, in turn, thanked Japan for using auto parts from Thailand and urged Japan to further boost production capacity in the Thai economy, transfer modern technologies and conduct research and development (R&D) in automobile tests and natural rubber. The Thai prime minister also invited Japan to expand investment into the Thai textile and jewelry sectors, while promising the Thai government's investment promotional privileges, infrastructures and streamlined regulations to facilitate international investment projects. Both sides also agreed to jointly promote trade and investment in Southeast Asia. (TNA)