Thailand prepares to be regional business hub

BANGKOK, August 14 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says that the Thai government is further developing customs duties, human resources and labor skills to promote Thailand as a regional business center in the future. Thai Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told journalists on Wednesday that Premier Yingluck made the remarks when Susumu Uneno, Chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCCB) in Bangkok, paid a courtesy call on her at Bangkok's Government House earlier in the day. According to the spokesman, the JCCB conducted a survey on Japanese joint ventures in Thailand to sound out their opinions in the first half of this year and the survey showed that most Japanese companies attached importance to Thailand's development of customs duties, education, human resources and infrastructures to connect to neighboring countries. Besides, the survey found that the Japanese firms were concerned over new policies of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) although, the JCCB chairman was cited as saying, Japan will continue to use Thailand as its main production base in the region. The spokesman acknowledged that the Thai prime minister also confirmed that her administration is implementing transport projects to accelerate cargo transport. Regarding concerns over the BOI’s policies, the Thai prime minister insisted that she is ready to listen to and discuss with relevant parties to ensure transparency and smooth work. (TNA)