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493308
Thu, 05/24/2018 - 14:50
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Thailand's competitiveness in infrastructure up in 2018

BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) - Thailand's competitiveness in infrastructure in 2018 has been leveled up by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), especially in the science and technology sector. Tevin Vongvanich, Chairman of the Thailand Management Association (TMA), told journalists on Thursday that the country's improved competitiveness in infrastructure development in 2018 is one out of four areas considered by the IMD's World Competitiveness Center in its ranking of competitiveness positions in 2018 of 63 economies worldwide. Tevin stated that the other three areas in Thailand considered by IMD in its ranking this year include the economic performance, the business efficiency and the government efficiency, in which the country's competitiveness in the former two areas remains stable but declines in the last area, when compared to last year's status. Tevin explained that the different levels in the national competitiveness has resulted in Thailand's average competitiveness standing at the 30th place this year, from the 27th position last year. Tevin assessed that a drop in this year's national competitiveness in the government efficiency in expediting new mega investment projects in the domestic transport sector should have only short-term negative impacts, but the new mega-projects should enhance the national competitiveness in the long run. The TMA chairman suggested that the Thai government also pay attention to the social, educational and public health development in the country to meet not only public demand, but also the need for national development. Pattama Teanravisitsagool, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), pointed out that the drop in Thailand's competitiveness in the government efficiency area this year was caused by the administration's budget deficit to fund its new mega-investment projects mostly on transport infrastructure development, which should enhance and sustain the national economic growth and competitiveness in the long term. According to the NESDB deputy chief, the Thai government's measures on improving facilities for international investors to enhance the national competitiveness has raised the country's business legislation status, which is a component of the government efficiency area, and should be carried on widely through newly-introduced and transparent electronic and digital systems, which should further boost the national economic growth and competitiveness in the long term. Meanwhile, TMA and NESDB also jointly reported on countries with the top five competitiveness positions in 2018 ranked by IMD, out of a total of 63 economies worldwide, including the Unites States, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Netherlands and Switzerland respectively. Based on the joint TMA-NESDB report, Singapore was ranked the 3rd place among the 63 economies worldwide this year but the top in the 10-member ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), followed by Malaysia at the 22nd position, Thailand at the 30th position, Indonesia at the 43rd position and the Philippines at the 50th position respectively. (TNA)

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