Invest Japan Symposium 2017 in Bangkok

In his opening remarks, then-Assistant Secretary (current Vice Minister) Kobsak Pootrakool of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand touched on the fact that Thailand has recently become an investor country, where the amount of investment going outward exceeds that coming in, and made a call for continued investment overseas, particularly in Japan, with which the country has a deep relationship. Board Member Sanan Angubolkul of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) stated that both countries have to make efforts to vitalize investment in a two-way manner, illustrating successful cases of Thai companies operating in Japan.

JETRO Chairman and CEO Ishige highlighted the importance of partnerships between Thailand and Japan, mentioning activities promoting "Thailand 4.0" and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) conducted by the Thai government, and then emphasized that investment into Japan from Thailand is an extension of those activities. Following him, President Pipit Aneaknithi of Kasikorn Bank explained the current state of affairs of the economic relationship between the two countries and future prospects from the macroeconomic perspective, and used economic data to underline the importance of overseas business expansion by Thai companies.

Presentations were made by representatives from two Thai companies active in Japan; Zanroo (Internet-Based Business Group Co.,Ltd.,）and BCPG Japan Corporation. CEO Chitpol Mungprom of Zanroo and Managing Director Taishiro Miyayauchi of Zanroo Japan presented on the stability of Japan's business environment and growth potential driven by the Japanese economic strategy Abenomics, from the standpoint of a start-up which is developing bigdata-based services. Country Manager and Director Pavan Siamchai of BCPG Japan Corporation spoke on the potential of Japan's renewable energy business, including solar power, from the viewpoint of a leading energy company in Thailand, and made a passionate call for Thai companies to invest into Japan.

At networking receptions held before and after the symposium, a PR corner was set up by four local government organizations; Hokkaido, Kanagawa and Aichi Prefectures and the Osaka Business and Investment Center (O-BIC); in order to disseminate information on the attractiveness of their respective regions, incentives and support systems they are able to provide. JETRO also held a consultation corner where it responded to inquiries from Thai companies.