Thai-Japan trade, investment outlook remains positive

BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) - After enforcement of a Japan-Thailand Economic
Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) for slightly over a year, the Thai
government and senior business executives Monday expressed optimism that trade and investment between the two countries would likely to grow steadily although Japan is entering an economic recession.

Speaking to a meeting of the 21st Thailand-Japan trade and economic
cooperation committee, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat said he
expected that Thailand's exports to Japan would not be affected much even
though Japan has been affected by recession.

Most Thai exports to Japan are consumer necessities that will still be
purchased even though its economy encounters problems, he said.

Board of Trade of Thailand chairman Pramon Sutheewong said the meeting
was the first since JTEPA entered into force in November 2007 as Thailand
has requested Japan to open its market for number of products, including
unrefined sugar and pork.

Discussions are needed regarding concerned Japanese government agencies
allowing Thai agricultural products to enter Japan more easily than now,
Mr. Pramon said.

Thailand's exports to Japan are now growing at about 21 per cent annually
and are not expected to change greatly even with economic recession
hitting Japan, according to Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the
Federation of Thai Industries.

Mr. Santi said that Thai food exports to Japan will likely rise because of
China losing market share due to problems with melamine contamination,
and Japanese businessmen still find Thailand the most attractive
investment target among members of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations. (TNA)