Yingluck leads roadshow in Hong Kong

Yingluck leads roadshow in Hong Kong

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday led a government roadshow to Hong Kong to extol the virtues of investing in Thailand.

                 Photo from Yingluck Shinawatra Facebook page.

The roadshow will focus on investment opportunities under Thailand’s strategic development plan and its readiness to be a regional connectivity hub supported by infrastructure development megaprojects.

Ms Yingluck is scheduled to meet with top management of the island’s banking and investment sectors and  representatives of Hong Kong’s leading tour companies on strengthening trade and investment ties between Thailand and Hong Kong.

Speaking at a meeting of top management of the banking and investment sectors, Ms Yingluck said Thailand’s economy continues to expand.

Thailand’s economic growth for 2012 stood at 6.4%, an increase of 0.1% year-on-year. The economy is expected to grow between 5% and 6% this year, she added.

The Thai government is planning to spend 2 trillion baht, or 17% of gross domestic product, on infrastructure development projects to strengthen trade competitiveness. These megaprojects are expected to be completed in seven years, the premier said.

The government also plans to invest in transport system and logistics network development projects, of which 82.6% will be rail system development, 12.2% highways, 1.5% marine routes and 0.6% public utilities in border areas, she said.

To encourage foreign investors, the government had cut corporate income tax to 20% this year, lower than 25% in Malaysia and Vietnam and 30% in the Philippines, she added.

A parallel function to boost confidence in Thailand among foreign investors, Thailand’s strategies: A Roadmap for Real Opportunities, was jointly organised by the Ministry of Finance and the Board of Investment (BoI).

The event was aimed at allowing top management of Thailand’s leading financial institutions and state agencies to meet with leading investors in Hong Kong.

Ms Yingluck was due to depart from Chek Lap Kok airport for Bangkok tonight and arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport about 10.45pm.

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