Envoy sees more UK-Thai investment

The British ambassador is encouraging more British businessmen to invest in Thailand after Brexit, says the government.

Speaking after the UK ambassador to Thailand, Brian John Davidson, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House Thursday, deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukhondhapatipak said the British envoy agreed to promote greater UK investment in Thailand after his country voted to leave the European Union (EU) in June last year.

"The British ambassador is happy to support businessmen from the UK investing more in Thailand as the country moves forward with Thailand's 4.0 initiative and the new S-Curve [industrial boost policy]," Lt Gen Werachon said.

The UK could invest more in areas such as large-scale infrastructure, innovation, digital technology, financial management, sustainable energy and public health, he added.

The "Thailand 4.0" policy is the government's economic roadmap for moving the country towards an innovation-based economy and elevate the country from its middle-income country status.

"The [UK envoy's] appointment is expected to further strengthen ties with the Kingdom and allow us to seek new opportunities to work together," the deputy government spokesman said.

British parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Minister for Asia and the Pacific), Alok Sharma, will visit Bangkok for the third session of the Thailand-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue on Jan 26-28. The discussion will include economic, education and security cooperation.

In addition, the first meeting of the Thai-UK Business Leadership Council (TUBLC) held in October last year set a good example of cooperation between state agencies and the private sector in boosting trade and investment ties between the countries, Lt Gen Werachon said. The next high-level TUBLC is set for April.

Thailand is one of the UK's largest trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while the UK is a leading European investor and trading partner with Thailand.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1183321/envoy-sees-more-uk-thai-investment