Government plans Japan road show to restore investor confidence

BANGKOK, Jan 30 (TNA) – Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Friday said that government-appointed Team Thailand will carry out a road show in Japan in mid-March to explain to investors what happened with investment projects in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estates and measures to
solve the problem in order to restore their confidence.

Many Japanese investors have warned about a possible shift of their investment base to other countries unless there is a clear solution to the Map Ta Phut problem.

Mr Korn said the government is giving an importance to efforts to accelerate solving the Map Ta Phut case. It had realised the need to balance the economic development with supervising the environment and quality of life of the people.

“It is vital to communicate for a proper understanding of foreign investors about problems at the Map Ta Phut. Now, it is clear that some suspended investment projects with sufficient rationale will petition to resume their construction. The government is ready to act as a liaison in
the case,” said Mr. Korn.

Asked whether the renewed rallies by the Red Shirt protestors will worsen the situation and undermine foreign investor confidence, the minister said the ongoing problems are not as serious as those that occurred last year. So, it is not too difficult for the government to cope with them.

In 2009, Thailand was engulfed with many problems both internally and externally. Included are the liquidity crunch, the political upheaval, and global financial crisis. (TNA)