1. Thailand – Stabilität und Wachstum - German Technology Symposium & Exhibition (GTS05), Bangkok -
Wirtschaftstag Thailand, Berlin
23 September 2005
Dr. Paul Strunk, Hauptgeschäftsführer
German-Thai Chamber of Commerce

2. Kingdom of Thailand
514,000 square km, pop million
GDP per capita (PPP):
US$ 7,100 (ca. 26% of Germany) [source: UNDP, 2004]
GDP total (PPP):
US$ 478 billion [source:CIA, 2004]
Large and modern. Very fast economic growth
 Top market and investment location

3. Source: NESDB

4. Source: EIU, September 04

5. External debt reduced from 94 per cent of GDP to 33 per cent of GDP (Q1 05). Reserves equal total debt and cover four times short term debt

8. Source: NESDB, June 05

9. Source: NESDB, June 05

10. Source: NESDB

11. Source: NESDB, June 05

12. BOI approvals double in value in 2003 and rise by another 49 per cent in 2004

13. Source: UNCTAD, 2004

14. BOI approvals rise by 26 per cent in value in Jan – Jul 2005 vs
BOI approvals rise by 26 per cent in value in Jan – Jul 2005 vs. Jan – Jul 2004

15. How attractive is Thailand for investors
How attractive is Thailand for investors? partly from BOI Investor Confidence Survey, September 2002
Strengths:
stability
relatively low cost (workforce and infrastructure)
market size (local + AFTA + FTAs)
geographic location + air travel hub
good infrastructure
good investment incentives
diversified industry and trade partner structure
motivated, big, reasonably skilled workforce
quality and reliability of local suppliers
Major weakness: out of fashion (but starting to change)

16. Source: JETRO, Survey of investment related cost, March 2003

17. Source: JETRO, Survey of investment related cost, March 2003

18. Source: JETRO, Survey of investment related cost, March 2003

19. Source: JETRO, Survey of investment related cost, March 2003

21. Political & Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) 2002 report
“Thailand’s people are some of the most hospitable in the world, and it is hard not to feel comfortable in the land of smiles”

22. Key industries and sectors for investment from a GTCC view:
automotive components
chemicals + plastics
diverse manufacturing (German investment,e.g., in packaging, optical lenses, shower cabins, butterfly valves, household appliances, compressed air pumps, construction machines, electronics)
agro-industries
education, R+D, certification, calibration
 diversified industry structure allows for diversified investment