Thai PM guarantees support for US, ASEAN businesses

BANGKOK, November 3 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has promised his government will continue to facilitate business operators from the United States and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). General Prayut made the pledge during his meeting with a delegation of the US-ASEAN Business Council at Bangkok's Government House on Monday, in which concerned Thai Cabinet members also participated. General Prayut told journalists, after the meeting, that he assured the delegation from over 34 US and ASEAN firms the Thai government is ready to support their businesses and investment in Thailand, while also protecting the interest of every investing country in the Thai economy fairly through revised laws and ministerial regulations. The prime minister stated that the Thai government is also ready to lay down long-term foundations to create security and confidence among international business operators on the basis of fair benefits. Besides, the prime minister vowed that investment in Thailand must be transparent, as his government has a clear policy to suppress corruption. According to the Thai leader, the US-ASEAN business delegation expressed their understanding and willingness to increase their investment in Thailand. Meanwhile, Thai Government Spokesman Dr. Yongyuth Mailalarp told a press conference that the prime minister also informed the US-ASEAN business delegation his administration is implementing a roadmap for national reform in 11 areas, including economic reform focused on new infrastructure development projects, covering those on transport links with other countries in the region, as well as water management, clean energy, financial and property business expansion, while streamlining the country's export and import procedures as well. The spokesman acknowledged that US investors expressed their interest in energy, infrastructure, information technology (IT), health tourism and digital economy businesses in Thailand. Two-way trade and investment between Thailand and the United States have kept growing, with the value of mutual trade reaching 38 billion US dollars last year and 25 billion US dollars during the first eight months of this year. (TNA)