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fisheries, clothing, and grains. The main markets are China The road linking Thailand, Myanmar, and India - also known as
(40%), Thailand (20%), India (9%), Singapore (7.6%), and Japan Trilateral Road - that travels from Mae Sot - Yangon - Mandalay - Tamu
(5.7%). (Myanmar) - Moreh (India) is expected to be completed later in 2018.

Imports of Myanmar As of now, the last section of the road, which lays between Mandalay
Myanmar imported USD 913.29 million in April 2018, growing and the border of Myanmar and India, is currently having the
38.89% year-on-year. Main imports include machinery and non- installation of traffic signal. It is expected that the road will shorten
electrical logistics equipment, and garment from significant the travel time between Thailand and India down to half a day from
markets like China (35%), Singapore (15%), Thailand (12%), months. The products that should benefit from this road, which
Japan (7.9%), India (7%), and Malaysia (4%). penetrates both Myanmar and India, include processed food,
agricultural machinery, automobile, thread, fabric, leather, sugar, and
Trade between Thailand and Myanmar plastic beads.
Trade between the two Southeast Asian nations in 2017 reached Meanwhile, Thailand should make gains from natural resource
USD 6,784.23 million, and Thailand is enjoying the positive richness of Myanmar and India. Natural resources that are crucial to
balance of USD 4,308 million. Thailand’s supply chain includes fisheries, gems, gold, oil, natural gas,
● Exports from Thailand: refined oil, beverages, chemicals, teak, lumber, and limestone. India has abundant resources of coal
steel, machinery, sugar, fabric, cosmetics, wheat products, (world’s No.4 supplier), iron and manganese (world’s No.7), mica and
processed foods, and plastic beads
● Imports from Myanmar: natural gas (accounting for 75% bauxite (world’s No.5), chromite, natural gases, diamonds, limestones,
of imports from Myanmar), minerals, meat products, animal, and thorium (world’s biggest reserves of thorium is on the coast of
fisheries, plants and lumber Kerala). Therefore, it is likely that the trading of manufacturing tools will
be conducted through this road more once it is finished. Also, India is
hoping to use Thailand as a gateway to CLMV countries, which will fully
benefit the Thai logistisc system.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
From April 2017 to March 2018, foreign direct investment in
Myanmar reached USD 5,718 million, with Singapore ranks as
the top investor pouring in USD 2,164 million. The island country
is followed by China who invested USD 1,395 million, the
th
Netherlands and South Korea. Thailand is the 9 biggest investor
with USD 124 million investments. The most popular industries
are manufacturing, property, telecommunication, hotel and
tourism.

The New Special Economic Zones
China and Myanmar is negotiating the possibility of the new
special economic zone (SEZ), hence signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on the matter. However, it is expected
that when the SEZ is completed, more Myanmar products
should be exported to China conveniently, while the tourism
industry of Myanmar should flourishes. Therefore, Thai investors
should not ignore this SEZ if they are seeking opportunities to
penetrate the Chinese market.
NOV 2018 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 57

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