[Thai] Think Tank: Border Trade Remains Intact Despite Diplomatic Rows

11 February 2010
Thai-ASEAN News Network

A research director at the University of the Chamber of Commerce says the cross-border trade between Thailand and Cambodia has not been affected by diplomatic tension, and is optimistic about this year's outlook.

Thanawat Polvichai, director of the University of the Chamber of Commerce's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre, observed that Thai-Cambodian border trade will continue as usual with a bright prospect for growth, despite strained relations between the two countries.

Thanawat was providing a lecture at Maneechan Resort in Chanthaburi province on how the province can progress and respond to challenges from the global and domestic economies.

He added that the outlook for cross-border trade is particularly promising in Chanthaburi and Trat, which are major routes for goods transport between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and this is owing to the opening of the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

Thanawat estimated the value of Chanthabuti's border trade for this year at 3.5 billion baht, compared to last year's 3 billion baht.

He projected growth in exports of beverage, office equipment and supplies, and fruits.