Page 76 - FoodFocusThailand No.159 June 2019

SURF THE AEC
SURF THE AEC

Thailand’s silk road combines the North-South Economic Corridor such as Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium,
(NSEC) and the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), which links and France, before the train stops in London. This particular route
to the Chinese silk road to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Indian also links with South Asia and the Middle East. Its southern branch,
to Persian Gulf via Mumbai port. Thailand had also launched the which cut through the border between China and Lao PDR, will
Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which serves as the main eventually links to Thailand and ASEAN. Thus, Thailand will be able
manufacturing base for foreign investors who wish to distribute their to distribute its goods to 64 countries located along the silk road,
goods to markets along the silk road such as China, India, Europe, which are home to more than 4,400 million population (more than
and ASEAN, in a short period of time. half of the world) and control around 40% of the global GDP.
Moreover, the global economic paradigm that shifts towards Asia
has facilitated Thailand’s ambition in becoming a strategic location. New Opportunity on the Silk Road
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that the next 3 decades The attractive thing about China, at the moment, is that it has many
will be the Asian Century, and Asia’s GDP ratio will be accounted for economically powerful cities locating along the silk road, which can
52% of the world by 2050 (compare to 32% now). It also adds that be emerging markets and hubs for the Thai supply chain;
East Asia, India, and ASEAN will gain the biggest share. While China, (1) Hainan province, one of the 3 provinces that have the biggest
India, and ASEAN act as the main engine. Here, Thailand holds a key GDP. Hainan is China’s center for big data and home to China’s first
advantage as a main hub linking 3 major economies; China, India, Global Big Data Exchange (GBDEx). The city also serves as a base
and ASEAN, together. for international clouds and call center companies, as well as for
China’s land silk road that focuses on railway now allows the world’s factories for smartphone and computer chips, and mobile phone
giant economy to distribute its good to the countries along the route assembling.

Thailand’s Silk Road:

Pinning Thailand on the World’s Map

Thailand’s part of silk road has become a new prominent strategy to link the country’s trade with
those of China, India, ASEAN, and the world. At the same time, it is a key to transform Thailand into
a global manufacturing base.

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FOOD FOCUS THAILAND JUNE 20