Thailand to study China’s OBOR project

BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) -- Several government agencies have been assigned to study advantages and disadvantages of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) programme and whether Thailand could implement the programme in expanding its trade and investment, said Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn. The Thai government will initially persuade foreign investors on how they could benefit from the OBOR by investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) sponsored by the government, said Ms Apiradi. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak is on the missin to visit several countries to persuade potential businessmen to invest in the EEC. He is scheduled to travel to Japan between June 4-8. Ms Apiradi said Thailand could succeed in persuading foreign businessmen to invest in this country because its railway system links with China, Malaysia and Singapore while road connects with China and Laos. The Thai government also plans to ask those involved in aviation industry to invest in the EEC which would enable the country to become an aviation hub in this region, said Ms Apiradi. Chinese businessmen will also be invited to invest in the EEC because they could use this country as a springboard to expand their businesses to neighbouring countries, especially to the three Indochinese countries and Myanmar, through the OBOR programme. (TNA)