Page 19 - TICA Membership Directory 2016-2017

GATEWAY TO ASEAN

It is often said that in business the three most important Thailand also boasts its own burgeoning and vibrant
elements are location, location and location. With this domestic consumer market of over 65 million people.
in mind, Thailand presents itself as the ideal geographical It is characterized by impressive growth, strong
Gateway to Asia with preferential market entry into a exports, a wealth of natural resources and a work
number of countries including China and India. force which is both skilled and cost effective. All these
factors and more can assist in attracting foreign
With vital control of the only land route in Asia to investment and in turn will enable them to engage,
Malaysia and Singapore and six modern, deep sea ports, interact, network, prosper and develop their particular
Thailand offers easy access to Asia’s almost 4 billion sector or industry in Thailand. There are tremendous
consumers with the fastest spending power growth in opportunities for foreign investors in a number of
the world.
key industries including machinery, electrical and
The country’s strategic location in the heart of Southeast electronics, automotive, bio-technology, renewable
Asia makes it the natural choice and gateway to the energy and agro-industry.
developing economies of the Greater Mekong sub-region. The opening of the fourth friendship bridge between
Further strengthening its position is Thailand’s membership Thailand and Laos means there is a further strengthening
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
of connections, as the bridge will link the Asian Highway
As one of ASEAN’s founding members, Thailand is readily with Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to Malaysia
accessible to what is now the largest growing economic and Singapore - and Thailand will be at the heart.
sector in the world. Including Thailand, ASEAN’s ten
member states are Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and Brunei.
Together they form the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) an integrated market with a combined population
of more than 600 million people.
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TICA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 2016 - 2017