Monday, February 26, 2001, updated at 14:25(GMT+8)
World
Thailand Plans to Open Special Economic Zones Along Border
The Thai government is planning to open special economic zones along frontiers to enhance border trade and cooperation with its neighboring countries, a senior official said Monday in Bangkok.
Permanent Secretary for Commerce Krirk-krai Jirapaet told Channel 8, a local TV station, that the Ministry of Commerce and the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) are studying the plan and its feasibility, as well as incentives to be given to local business persons and entrepreneurs.
Krirk-krai, who was former Thai Trade Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), also disclosed that the agencies concerned are also considering the development of infrastructure to support the border trade in the special zones, and the promotion of resource utilization of both Thailand and its neighbors.
The Thai frontier areas bordering Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are now the focus of the study.
The Thai government is planning to open special economic zones along frontiers to enhance border trade and cooperation with its neighboring countries, a senior official said Monday in Bangkok.