Thailand’s foreign affairs minister told delegates to a finance conference in Munich, Germany, that his country is open to public private partnerships to fund mega-projects such as the extension of Bangkok’s subway system.
In January, the Thai prime minister launched the “Partnership for Development” initiative, which among other things seeks to increase foreign investment in Thailand. The foreign minister was in Germany to pitch the initiative to top German companies and investors.
“The Partnership for Development project presents unlimited possibilities,” Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said. “There are no restrictions on the structure or nature of the partnerships. The proposals may come solely from the private sector or be combined public private undertakings. They might come from a single corporation, or a consortium of companies from one country or more. There are no tender documents.”
German’s automotive and high tech industries have a strong interest in Thailand. When it comes to Thai investment, Germany ranks third in the European Union, after the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In November 2005, more than 140 EU companies attended a two-day meeting in Bangkok hosted by the Thai Board of Investment.