10-10-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Srettha Thavisin, assured potential investors in Hong Kong that Thailand is open for business and ready to facilitate investment. During his visit to Hong Kong, Mr. Srettha met with representatives of major private entities to discuss investment opportunities in Thailand. This visit to Hong Kong is part of a five-day trip that includes several ASEAN nations.
The private sector in Hong Kong expressed interest in investing in Thailand but also emphasized the need for the Thai government to improve the ease of doing business for foreign investors. Mr. Srettha had a meeting with John Lee Ka-chiu, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, to discuss bilateral cooperation and investments.
One of the prominent figures endorsing Thailand’s policies was Allan Zeman, the chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, who praised the Thai government’s free-visa policy for Chinese tourists. He predicted that Thailand, as a premier tourist destination, would greatly benefit from the influx of Chinese visitors.
The medical business representatives in Hong Kong conveyed their interest in inviting Thai medical workers to join internships on the island. Hong Kong is currently facing a shortage of medical staff, and inviting Thai medical workers for internships would help alleviate this issue while providing Thai professionals with valuable experience.
Transport infrastructure was another area of discussion during Mr. Srettha’s visit. Jack So, the chairman of the Board of Airport Authority, highlighted the importance of improving transport infrastructure to facilitate increased visitor numbers and connect regional transport facilities. Mr. Srettha agreed and emphasized the benefits of strengthening ties with Hong Kong International Airport, a transit hub for international flights and known as one of the world’s best airports.
To further promote investment opportunities in Thailand, the Stock Exchange of Thailand has been assigned to plan a roadshow strategy. HSBC, represented by Surendra Rosha, Group Executive of the HSBC Group, expressed their willingness to host the roadshow in Hong Kong, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
After his visit to Hong Kong, Mr. Srettha is scheduled to travel to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei to meet with Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan and Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss bilateral cooperation. In the evening, Mr. Srettha will attend an official banquet held in his honor.
On Wednesday, Mr. Srettha will visit Malaysia, where he is set to meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and hold a joint press conference. The trip will conclude with a visit to Singapore on Thursday. He will attend a welcoming reception at Government House, where he will have talks with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and representatives from the private sector. Mr. Srettha is expected to return to Thailand on Thursday evening.
