Issue 63

With rich natural resources and its strategic location, Myanmar is an attractive destination for foreign investors from around the world including Thailand.

Several sectors in Myanmar’s burgeoning economy will demonstrate significant growth over the next few years, predicts a leading member of the Thai-Myanmar business community.

“Infrastructure, labour-intensive manufacturing, agricultural and fisheries and their processed products, tourism and telecommunications, and application development will be fast-growing industries in the next five years,” Nattawin Phongsphetrarat, vice president of the Thai Business Association of Myanmar (TBAM), says.

“Myanmar’s government has promoted investment in these sectors because they are crucial for the country’s development and these are promising opportunities for all foreign investors.”

Data from the Myanmar Investment Commission shows that total foreign investment in the country reached US$5.8 billion during the period between April 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017 while the government has set a target of US$6 billion for the current fiscal year, up to March 31. The top sectors include transport and telecoms, manufacturing, real estate and energy.

However, Phongsphetrarat believes that small and medium enterprise with less than US$8 million (300 million baht) of total annual revenue should better focus on cross-border trade. “Selling products is the best option for small businesses,” he says. “They can distribute them at the border areas between Thailand and Myanmar or export products to Yangon or Mandalay.”

As purchasing power in Myanmar is still limited, setting the right price is key. “Producers have to offer products in smaller sizes and cheaper because consumers cannot afford higher prices,” Phongsphetrarat explains. “Online tools such as Facebook and Viber influence urban consumer behaviour and their purchasing decision while consumers in rural areas prefer traditional markets.”

Moreover, businesses are advised to organise below-the-line marketing activities such as product demonstrations and testing to educate consumers and allow them to have direct experience with the products. He also believes it’s important to choose the right local partner and test the water before fully committing to one product.

“Business partners play a crucial role in the business’s success or failure. Foreign businesses can form a cluster before entering Myanmar, they can share offices and other resources which help them cut costs and penetrate the market faster and more effectively,” he says. “You should study the market thoroughly by visiting Myanmar to observe the market by yourself.”

TBAM is ready to assist companies who want to expand their business into Myanmar. Established in 1997, the association provides useful business and investment information and advice to both government and private sectors. It also helps strengthen relationships between Thailand’s businesses and other chambers of commerce in Myanmar.

“TBAM has worked closely with Thai government agencies including the DITP,” he says. “We have organised seminars in Myanmar almost every month and hosted meetings between Thai entrepreneurs and Myanmar representatives in particular government agencies and private organisations to enhance their understanding about business opportunities and challenges as well as promoting Thai businesses in Myanmar.”

Phongsphetrarat believes that Myanmar’s new investment law will provide better benefits to foreign investors and ease investment restrictions.

“There’s very good opportunities for Thai investors to expand their business in Myanmar as we have the advantage of geographic proximity and similar consumer behaviour,” he says. They [Myanmar consumers] also love Thai products and services. If you miss this great chance, you could not find something like this again.”

For more information, visit www.tbam1997.com

Words by Somhatai Mosika

Issue 58

 

 

拥有160多年的外交关系，泰国和法国早已建立友好关系，还有长久合作的承诺。

"[泰国]文化和历史非常丰富。我喜欢泰国菜，人民，语言，和泰国的生活方式，"法国驻泰国大使Gilles Garachon表示，他在2015年10月开始了他在泰国的第二个任期，他在1999年到2003年早期在此度过。

"对于我们来说，泰国一直是一个长期的合作伙伴和朋友，"Garachon说。 "泰国出口大量的电子和光学设备同食品和服装一起到法国，法国是交通运输设备，如飞机，直升机和卫星的主要出口国。"

在2015年，泰国到法国的出口额26亿欧元，法国出口到泰国共计17.3亿欧元。据法国大使馆称，在泰国有250家法国公司，雇员64,000人，大多是在如汽车，制药和能源等行业。

Garachon认为，创新将是泰国在世界市场上保持竞争力的一个关键因素。

"在未来，我们希望把重点放在[泰国]许多领域投资，如制造业，奢侈品，食品，和创新。这两个国家都面临着一个我们必须通过创新筛选产品的情况，所以我觉得这两个国家必须共同努力，在许多领域进行创新，如制造业，飞机，食品和化妆品 - 在泰国是非常好的。"

两国之间合作的例子还包括泰国糖果生产商MITR Phol，它与法国公司合作进行产品创新，造纸商双A对在法国的一个造纸厂进行投资。

"泰法贸易的两个关键优势是，第一，泰国是东盟的心脏；其次，泰国经济呈现多元化增长潜力 - 农业和食品加工业都很强，服务业高效和行业有竞争力，"Garachon说。

这位大使还认为泰国是区域"天然中心"，相信可以做很多事情，以加强贸易，如开放更多的贸易边境试点，发展与邻国的铁路链接。

"与柬埔寨，老挝，缅甸和越南的深入合作将使泰国在内的整个地区受益，"Garachon说。 "对于我们来说，这是一个极具活力的地区，泰国作为其核心，发挥在东南亚的领导角色。这就是为什么我们要增加我们与泰国的关系。"

法国大使馆举办一系列活动来刺激两国之间的贸易，包括十月的"在法国投资"。泰国联合常务委员会和商务部法国和泰国商会共同举办，与会代表将讨论两国之间的商业机会。

"作为法国大使，我想创造两国间积极的沟通，促进更紧密地合作，"他说。 "我们已经在这里，但仍有足够的空间来做得更好。"

Pimsirinuch Borsub撰稿

Issue 60

With the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Thai investors are looking to expand their businesses to fast-developing neighbouring countries, such as Cambodia.

Thai and foreign investors alike are keen to take part in Cambodia’s growing economy. As Thailand’s 14th largest exporting country, Cambodia received US$3.574 billion of Thai exports in the first nine months of 2016. While large Thai corporations, from CP to PTT and SCG have invested in manufacturing bases in Cambodia, the service sector is also growing, especially in hotels, hospitals, television, insurance and banking.

Oranooch Pakarat, President of the Thai Business Council of Cambodia (TBCC), was one of the first Thai businesspeople to do business in Cambodia, in 1986, in air freight and travel. Founded in 1999, the TBCC holds year-round activities, providing information and guidance to Thai investors interested in doing business or investing in Cambodia while also serving as a communication channel between the embassy and Thai people residing in Cambodia.

“The TBCC tries to match visitors from Thailand with members in similar businesses in Cambodia to form partnerships,” she says. With her three decades of experience, Pakarat also runs Bangkok-based Intra Mekong company, which specialises in logistics, travel and education in Cambodia and other ASEAN countries.

Pakarat reveals that Thais are interested in investing and trading in Cambodia for several reasons including the availability of young workers and abundance natural resources.

“Cambodians love Thai products, moreover, the law in Cambodia is open to foreign investors who are able to own businesses in Cambodia. Another advantage of Cambodia is that the US dollar, Thai baht and Cambodian riel are used locally,” she says. “Labour costs are still low, with more than 60% of the population in the working age. Also, tourist destinations in Cambodia enable a steady cash flow so the local population has some purchasing power.”

Thailand also has the advantage of having a long border with Cambodia and the ability to use AEC privileges in cross-country trading.

“My advice to those interested in investing in Cambodia is that you have to change your mindset: Cambodia is changing rapidly. Parents of the new generation of Cambodians are investing in their children, sending them to universities abroad, so they get the best education,” says Pakarat. “Many countries are keen on investing in Cambodia, from China, Japan and Vietnam to South Korea.”

The Thai government has been continuously supporting international trade between Thailand and Cambodia. The Department of International Trade Promotion has held ongoing trade promotional activities in Phnom Penh while the Department of Business Development brought Thai franchise owners to seek partners in Cambodia in 2016.

However, Pakarat insists that entrepreneurs should not be afraid to expand their businesses alone.
“If you want to start a business overseas, you can also do it without waiting for the government’s help. Make yourself ready, because the more prepared you are, the higher your chance of success.”

For more information, visit www.tbcccambodia.org
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub

Issue 57

随着每年全球商业价值约1万亿美元，清真食品及相关企业正在以惊人的速度增长。

清真食品企业在全球范围内迅速扩大。据世界清真论坛发表的一份报告，2015年清真食品和饮料的全球收入约为1.4万亿美元，预计到2018年将达到2.47万亿美元。

从7月29日至31日，泰国穆斯林贸易协会（TMTA），中央世界和超过10个伊斯兰国家驻泰国大使馆联合举办的TMTA世界清真巨星，旨在增加清真产品的市场曝光。

"清真企业是国际化的，特别是清真食品，不仅是准备食品产品，并按照伊斯兰教的要求加工食品，而且它也营养丰富，有益健康，对每个人都有好处。所以，你首先要改变以为清真食品只适合穆斯林的想法，"东盟前秘书长Surin Pitsuwan说，他在活动的开幕式上致辞，并强调了清真食品对穆斯林社会和世界的重要性。

"清真食品企业在中亚和南亚价值1750亿美元，在东南亚价值930亿美元，在中国价值50亿美元，在欧洲价值630亿美元，在北美价值140亿美元，" Pitsuwan说。 "在美国，有86000的产品是符合犹太社区的戒律。然而，犹太社区只消耗其中的15％，16％[合规产品]是由穆斯林在北美地区消费。这是非常有趣，也很能说明问题。"

为了填补世界市场上的空白，泰国清真食品生产商现在都意识到需要清真认证增加泰国清真食品的出口。

"泰国所有产品的清真标志必须是可信的，被认可和接受的，不仅被穆斯林消费者，还被泰国人民，东南亚地区和世界认为是营养健康的，" Pitsuwan说。

目前，泰国政府对清真食品产业的发展十分重视。例如，朱拉隆功大学有一个清真科学中心和清真食品创新和认证实验室。

"此外，清真企业可以旅游帮助，特别是健康和医疗旅游，" Pitsuwan说。 "泰公司也在寻求在新加坡和马来西亚的合作伙伴，以促进清真产品的出口，泰国是清真食品生产质量的领导者。"

活动的组织者对展会的成功和清真企业的潜力有信心。

"泰国穆斯林贸易协会的主要任务之一是促进和鼓励穆斯林商人在泰国提高他们的产品[质量]和服务，在国际上具有竞争力，" TMTA的总裁Adul Wongsangiam说。 "我们相信，本次博览会在为我们的成员和泰国清真企业开放更多的机会方面是非常重要的第一步。"

欲了解更多信息，请访问www.thaimuslimtrade.com

Pimsirinuch Borsub撰稿