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SURF THE AEC

from countries with higher development to the lesser ones. Goods and is becoming a trading portal to, and a manufacturing base for
with high potential in this market are: processed food, agricultural Indian and Chinese markets (a total of 2.6 billion people or 40 percent
machineries, automobiles, thread, cloth, leather, sugar and resins of global population). Mandalay Industrial Zone is now and running,
(plastic beads). On the other hand, Myanmar and India have plentiful accommodating more than 1,200 factories in many fields of production,
natural resources necessary for many of Thai industries-- Myanmar, including steel smelting, agricultural products processing, garment,
for instance, is rich with fishery resources, precious stones, gold, wood furniture, wood products, and machinery tools. Thai businesses
crude oil, natural gas, teak woods, log woods and limestone, while in this zone are, such as, agriculture machineries and animal feeds.
India has abundant resources of coal (world’s No.4 supplier), iron Mandalay is also at the crossing point with the Silk Road to the
and manganese (world’s No.7), mica and bauxite (world’s No.5), south of China, which starts from the sea port of Kyaukpyu on the edge
chromite, natural gases, diamonds, limestones, and thorium (world’s of Bay of Bengal, near Sittwe and Naypyidaw. Many projects were
biggest reserves of thorium is on the coast of Kerala). The use for sponsored by the Chinese government, including the constructions
this route -- in transporting and exchanging resources and raw of a deep water sea port, oil and natural gas pipelines, and roads
materials for productions among the three countries -- are endless. connecting to Mandalay and Kunming in China--for the main purpose
Northeastern India is a relatively new market for Thai traders; of transporting oil and gas from the Middle East and Myanmar to
hence it is wise to find trading partners that have useful knowledge China. Many businesses have sprouted along this line or road, such
of the market. One of the trade facilitators that we should pay special as petrochemical industrial estate, oil refinery, new town/community
attention to is the Chennai Indians in Myanmar. These people are and railroad. This route, interestingly, is yet another marketing
like Chinese merchants in Thailand, talented and skillful in trading. channel through which Thai products--both for general consumption
Clusters of Chennai people do business and live in Mandalay, Moreh and industrial use--can reach their clientele, and it is also along this
and Tamu, for these are busy, old commercial districts. The Chennai very route that economy has continually and unceasingly developed.
people are well accustomed and acclimatized to both India and Many of the world’ s superpowers are, as the global trend now,
Myanmar markets-- well-suited as trading alliance for penetrating taking parts in developing new economic corridors with less developed
markets along this Trilateral highway. The northeastern part of countries, such as Japan (in Thailand and India), China (in Pakistan,
India bears some resemblance to China’s Yunnan for both regions Myanmar, Lao PDR and Sri Lanka), and South Korea (in Vietnam).
are faraway and landlocked. Both countries are well aware of this We should get ready and have relevant policies prepared to join in
problem and tried their best in connecting these areas with ASEAN’s developing this Trilateral project that can potentially lead to similar
trading routes to boost up economic growth in these regions. initiative to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), that will enhance
Mandalay--Myanmar second largest city after Yangon-- is the opportunity in exporting/investing for Thai traders in the long run.
most important and busiest retail and wholesale center of Myanmar

Food Safety
Roadshow
Being a part of the sustainable success of Thai Food &
Beverage Industry, Food Focus Thailand has organized
“Food Focus Thailand Roadshow” to provide knowledge
to Food & Beverage entrepreneurs located out of Bangkok.
In 2018, we will hit the road under the theme of “Food Tuesday, 18 September 2018 #5
Safety Roadshow” to 6 major cities throughout the Central Place Hotel
country.
@ Samut Sakhon