Published on July 16, 2005

Thailand should develop a port in Burma to increase export growth and maintain competitiveness in the Mekong area, said Ajva Taulananda, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

“Under the Greater Mekong Subregional Economic Cooperation (GMS) and the East-West Economic Corridor arrangements, Thailand should develop another gateway besides Laem Chabang port in the east. Only that will keep us competitive among GMS members,” Ajva said.

Ajva said the port in Burma would support Thailand’s attempt to boost export value and reduce logistics costs. “Moreover, it will promote Thailand as a logistics hub in Asia.”

He said that Burma had high business potential and the waters there were deep enough for the development. Despite the political risks, there exists an opportunity, he said.

Ajva was speaking at a seminar on trading for exporters in the context of GMS cooperation yesterday, held by the Export Import Bank of Thailand (Exim), the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industry and Chiang Mai University.

Ajva said the Thai government and the Exim Bank should support Thai investors in building a port in Burma right now, as that country was being eyed by many countries, among them Malaysia and China. “Vietnam already has a port in Danang to expand its logistics systems,” he said.

Jingjai Hanchanlash of the GMS business-forum committee, expressed concern over the fast pace of development of China’s logistics systems and business growth.

“Thailand needs to improve its road, train and shipping logistics systems to keep competitive against China, otherwise we will lose most of the regional market share,” Jingjai said.

Petchanet Pratuangkrai

The Nation

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