Quake not affecting Japanese investment in Thailand

BANGKOK, 15 March 2011 (NNT) – The recent unforgiving quake and tsunami in Japan will not affect Japanese investment in Thailand worth totally 700 billion baht during the past five years, according to the Japan Extent Trade Organization (JETRO).

After discussing with JETRO representatives, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Chairperson Payungsak Chartsutipol said JETRO confirmed that Japanese investment in Thailand would not get affected as most of it is a long-term plan. He believed Japan would continue to be a giant investor in the Thai market.

The chairperson added that JETRO expressed confidence that the strong spirit of Japanese people would enable them to go through this crisis.

The powerful tsunami devastated the northern part of Japan after an 8.9-magnitude quake rocked the country on 11 March 2011. At least 1,000 people are presumed dead.

Mr Payungsak added that Thai business people should discuss and show their willingness to assist Japanese people in some ways such as collecting donations although Japan had not requested anything from the Thai side so far.