20 trade associations meet over planned opening of Thai-Chinese International Products City

BANGKOK, 4 February 2011 (NNT) – The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) on Friday convenes a meeting of about 20 Thai trading associations in order to find ways to cushion impacts from the planned opening of Thai-Chinese International Products City in the kingdom.

FTI Vice President Dr Tanit Sorat stated that the discussion is aimed at seeking defensive measures to protect Thai businesses while the planned Chinese mega project is expected to attract a lot of Thai consumers. He continued that outcomes from the meeting would be lodged to Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot as the government attitude is still unclear.

About 20 Thai trade associations and giant retailers attending the meeting include the Thai Retailers-Wholesalers Association, Thai Lifestyle Products Federation, Thai Toy Industry Association, Thai Furniture Industries Association, Thai Autoparts Manufacturer Association, Home Decorative Design Association, Thai Gifts Premiums and Decorative Association and Tesco Lotus.

The Thai-Chinese International Products City will apparently be the biggest wholesale shopping mall in the ASEAN Region, covering 26 rais (10.4 acres) on Bangna-Trad Road Km 10. About 45 billion THB is injected into the project. Its construction follows the example of the trading city of Yiwu in China.