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| July 27, 2000 | atimes.com | ||
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Southeast Asia
Thai-Cambodian industrial zone planned Cambodia and Thailand have reached a preliminary agreement to establish an industrial zone on their common border to promote trade and investment between the two countries. Labor-intensive industries and the textile, fishery and jewelry industries will be targeted for location in the zone. Supachai Panichpak, the Thai Minister of Commerce and World Trade Organization Director General designate, said after a recent seminar in Bangkok that the proposed zone would not only help stimulate trade between the nations, it would also reduce Cambodia's large trade deficit with Thailand. Supachai said the move followed consultations with his opposite number in Cambodia, Jom Prasit. "We agreed on the idea to set up an industrial zone on the border to attract investment, especially for Thai labor-intensive industries, and industries that use raw materials imported from Cambodia. "Thailand will get the advantage of being able to use cheap labor and materials, while Cambodia will gain from increases in employment levels," Supachai said. A source at the Ministry of Commerce said the project would most likely be similar to one that has been set up in Mae Sot, Tak province, on the border with Myanmar. Industries in this special area receive some privileges, such as exemption on income tax and import duties. A survey conducted by the Thai National Economic and Social Development Board suggests that Poipet, just inside the Cambodian border opposite the thriving Thai market town of Aranyaprathet, would be a suitable location. Its infrastructure, the survey found, was sound, with well-developed roads and adequate water, electricity and communication links. It also has easy access to the major Thai deepsea port at Laem Chabang. The Thai Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind the project as it would allow Thai manufacturers to compete with countries such as Vietnam and China, which have a low-cost labor force. Vichian Techapaiboon, president of the chamber, said in view of the support from private firms, working groups from the two countries should meet as soon as possible to discuss details and draw up feasibility studies. Thailand has traditionally relied on illegal workers, especially those form Myanmar, to work in its low-skill industries. However, following the economic crisis of the past few years, Thailand has clamped down on the estimated one million illegal foreign workers in the country. (From Manager Daily) |
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