Exim Bank: Dispute not hurting trade

The latest political dispute between Thailand and Cambodia should not have any negative impact on bilateral trade, Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) chairman Narongchai Arkkraseranee said on Friday.

“I have talked to the businessmen  in Cambodia and they confirmed that  trade tie between the two countries remains unchanged,” Mr Narongchai said.

The Exim Bank chairman said his bank had provided 1.3 billion baht in financial support to Cambodia for road construction, development of infrastructure and rail systems. The bank also had approved about one billion baht in loans for Thai investors in tourism and construction businesses in the neighbouring country.

Exim Bank president Apichai Boonthiraworn said commercial banks that have given loans to Thai businessmen in Cambodia would have to closely follow the situation. He did  admit there was a chance the latest conflict could affect border trade.

Deputy Finance Minister Puetthichai Damrongrat, who oversees the Exim Bank, said he has no plans to direct the bank to review its financial assistant to Cambodia.