Japan pledges to support Thailand’s East-West Corridors, Indochina trade

BANGKOK, June 19 (TNA) -- With high confidence in the overall economy and its government in resolving the political crisis, Japan pledged to support Thailand improving trade logistics with the three Indochinese countries and the East-West Economic Corridor, said Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot.

The pledge was made during discussions between Mr Alongkorn and Munenori Yamada, Bangkok head of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), on Thursday.

Mr Alongkorn said Mr Yamada told him that Thailand continues to have high potential for Japanese trade and investment.

He said the commerce ministry has invited commercial attaches, chambers of commerce and businesses in Thailand to meetv Thursday.

Mr Yamada told Mr Alongkorn that he will ask Japanese business here to support Thailand's becoming a trade centre with the Indochina countries – Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- as well expressing interest on the West Economic Corridor in which trade would be conducted with Myanmar.

The meeting has been organised to enable the ministry to hear negative effects suffered by foreign businessmen from the anti-government riots which ended on May 19 after a military crackdown on the protesters.

It will also allow foreign businessmen and investors to propose to the Thai government what assistance they need to keep their businesses afloat.

Mr Alongkorn said the JETRO president invited him to give an opening speech for the Logistics Facilitation in Mekong for ASEAN Economic Integration to be held jointly by JETRO and the Thai National Shippers’ Council on August 10 and 11 in Thailand.

Some 200 officials from ASEAN members and high-ranking Asian Development Bank officials are expected to attend. (TNA)