Since the change of government in Thailand last September, a number of events have raised uncertainty among the overseas business community about the direction of future economic policy and the economy in general. We were honoured to have Mr Pana Janviroj, President of The Nation Group (Thailand's biggest listed multimedia group) to share his thoughts on the situation.
With the strategic location, developed infrastructure, abundant of labour forces, well educated engineers and middle managements, incentives from Thai government and strong domestic consumptions, many Multi-national corporations and their supporting partners, especially Japanese and Singaporean companies, have chosen Thailand as their manufacturing base to export their products for ASEAN, Middle East, European Union and Japanese markets. We were proud to have Mr Virapan Pulges, Managing Director of TICON Industrial Connection Public Co Ltd to share his insights on "Thailand as the manufacturing base and Logistic Hub" on 6 November 2006.
About 30 members attended the Council's Annual General Meeting on 15 September 2006. Our Chairman, Mr Bernard Chan, summarized the past activities of the council and stressed that the mission in 2006 and beyond is to expand the number and range of activities.
During the meeting, Mr Clayton Hebbard, Dr Harry Lee and Mrs Katherine Ngan were re-elected as Directors for the ensuing year. Simultaneously, Ernst & Young was re-appointed the Council's honorary auditors.
The current Board of Directors consists of 10 directors:
1) The Hon Bernard Chan, Executive Director & Deputy Managing Director of Asia Financial Group
2) Mr William Chao, Managing Director of Wing Wah Limited
3) Mr Tom V. Chatjaval, Managing Director of TVC Management Ltd
4) Mr Kenneth Gaw, Managing Director of Pioneer Global Group Limited
5) Mr Horst Geicke, Chairman of Pacific Alliance Group Ltd
6) Mr Clayton Hebbard, Consultant of Grant Thornton
7) Dr Harry Lee, Managing Director of TAL Apparel Limited
8) Mr Willy Lin, Managing Director of Milo's Knitwear (International) Ltd
9) Mrs Katherine Ngan, Executive Director of May Cheong Toy Products Fty Ltd
10) Mr Raphael Tong, Managing Director of Shanghai Mister Softee Food Products Co Limited
Luncheon with Mr Kasemsit Pathomsak (15 September 2006)
Mr Kasemsit Pathomsak, the President & Chief Executive of Merchant Partners Securities Ltd, gave us a talk at the luncheon immediately after the Council's 2006 Annual General Meeting on 15 September. Mr Pathomsak impressed our members and guests with a presentation on "The Current Thai Political Situation and its Effect on Stock Exchange of Thailand Investors". He presented an in-depth analysis on the macro & micro atmosphere in Thailand and also discussed the likely future trends of the economic situations in Thailand. The attendants found the presentation interesting and useful.
The Third Annual Co-operation Meeting (26 October 2005)
The 3rd Annual Co-operation meeting between directors of Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council and Thailand-Hong Kong Business Council had been held on 26 October. We also have the pleasure that Mr Arthur Ho, Head of Hong Kong Guangdong Cooperation Coordinatino Unit, Mr Alan Wong, Deputy Executive Director of Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Mrs Srimaitreephit & Ms Palawongse from the Royal Thai Consulate General joined us.
During the meeting, both parties expressed opinions and exchanged views on various issues. It was a very nice meeting and it is hoped that similar kind of gathering should be kept on in future so that various opinions and views can be exchanged frequently to help develop business and commercial ties between Hong Kong and Thailand.
"Discover the Hong Kong Magic" - Tourism Promotion in Bangkok (9 May 2005)
Our Chairman, Mr Bernard Chan, joined as the Honourable guest of the Hong Kong Delegation to promote Hong Kong Tourism in Thailand on 9 May 2005. The delegation was headed by the Financial Secretary, The Hon. Henry Tang, with 16 delegates including Government officials, leaders of the tourism industry and operators of new attractions.
More than 250 representatives from the Thailand tourism organizations and travel trade attended the luncheon presentation which provided a golden opportunity for the delegation to network with their counterparts in Bangkok and to brief the Thai media of the strength of Hong Kong's tourism.
Please click here to view the Speech by the Financial Secretary.
Luncheon on "Understanding Thailand's Foreign Real Estate Ownership Laws and Regulations" (20 April 2005)
Ms Cynthia Pornavalai, Attorney at Law, was invited as the keynote speaker at the Council's roundtable luncheon on 20 April. She shared her experiences with members and guests on handling commercial transactions and quoted several specific examples of how foreign real estate ownership transactions were structured in Thailand. She also gave strategic advices on how foreigners should do today to ensure security of tenure and financing on real estate purchases in Thailand.
Our Council director, Mr Clayton Hebbard, founding partner of Grant Thornton Thailand, also highlighted some of the problems faced by foreign real estate purchasers in Thailand. The luncheon provided a good platform for audiences to thoroughly understand the Thailand's land-ownership rules and regulations.
Luncheon with the President of the Government Housing Bank (26 Jan 2005)
Mr Khan Prachuabmoh, the President of the Government Housing Bank of Thailand, spoke at the HKTBC roundtable luncheon at the Hong Kong Club on 26 January to share his views on ost-Tsunami Real Estate Investment and Financing Opportunities in Thailand.
Mr Prachuabmoh said "As the exports grew by 24 per cent in 2004 together with the Thai GDP is expected to grow at 6 percent in 2005, I expect that the real estates investment opportunities is brilliant in the coming years." He also concluded that the Government clearly intends to rebuild damaged tourist areas, the infrastructure as well as to reconstruct the hotels and tourist resorts.
Breakfast meeting on the development of Thailand Tourism Industry (19 Nov 2004)
Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council hosted a breakfast meeting at the Hong Kong Club on 19 November. At the meeting, attended by Council Chairman and Directors, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Mrs Selina Chow and the Commissioner of Tourism Commission Ms Eva Chen, the latest trend of Tourism Industry in Thailand were discussed.
Mr Chanin Donavanik, the President of the Thai Hotels Associations, spoke at the breakfast meeting explained the marketing plans in Thailand. During the meeting, attendees discussed ways to further strengthen hotel industries between Hong Kong and Thailand. They also exchanged views on various ways that could help to develop mutual business.
HKTBC Delegation to Bangkok to promote CEPA (26 August 2004)
We were honoured to form a delegation with the Secretary for Industry and Techonlogy, Mr John Tsang at the gala dinner organized by the Thailand-Hong Kong Business Council in the Ballroom of the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok on 26 August 2004. The delegation consisted of 9 directors and members, with the aim of promoting the benefits of CEPA to the Thai business community.
Mr Tsang told the audience during the dinner that, "Hong Kong products covered by 374 Mainland tariff codes can now enjoy zero tariffs when exported to the Mainland. CEPA also gives Hong Kong companies greater access to the Mainland in 18 services sectors, including banking, distribution and telecommunications. CEPA offers tremendous opportunities for Thai and other overseas companies to enter the Mainland market by setting up in Hong Kong, partnering with Hong Kong companies, or even acquiring a company in Hong Kong."
He also emphasized that by partnering with Hong Kong businesses and drawing on their decades of experiences in the Mainland, overseas companies can gain a fast track into that burgeoning market. Mr Tsang concluded by saying that "The best way to enter the Mainland market is to set up manufacturing operations in the PRD while running management, finance and distribution out of Hong Kong. It is a business model that combines the low costs and efficiency of the Pearl River Delta with Hong Kong's sophisticated business infrastructure."
The Hon. Bernard Chan was conferred the Commander (Third class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (18 June 2004)
Our Chairman, The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, JP, was awarded the Commander (Third Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand on 18 June 2004 for his distinguished and outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of business between Thailand and Hong Kong.
The ceremony was held in the Royal Thai Consulate-General with more than 20 guests, including Ms Denise Yu, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr Kelvin Ho, Director-General of Trade and Industry and Dr Eden Woo, CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce etc, to witness the conferment.
Being the second largest Thailand mobile phone operator with more than 6.5 million subscribers, DTAC is a very successful joint venture between Norway and Thailand. Mr Sigve Brekke and Mr Vichai Bencharongkul, the co-CEOs of DTAC, addressed their winning strategies at the Council's February 11 roundtable lunch at the Hong Kong Club.
"They must know how to evaluate the environment, know who our competitors are and more importantly, know how to use the company's strengths and advantages," Brekke said. The other CEO, Sigve added "a company should develop a culture that can react quickly and effectively to change". The co-CEO's shared their valuable insight on their philosophy of "East meets West" for investors with an interest in overseas joint ventures.
All the audiences were very impressed and enlightened by the co-CEO's analysis on managing and operating a successful Thai-foreign joint ventrure.
Hong Kong's Capital Investment Entrant Scheme to be Implemented in October (2 Oct 2003)
The Hong Kong SAR Government (September 30, 2003) announced that the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme will start receiving applications on October 27, 2003.
The Capital Invesment Entrant Scheme aims to attract capital investment entrants to come to Hong Kong. Persons with net assets under their control and disposal for investment of no less than HK$6.5 million in permissible investment assets will be eligible for admission into Hong Kong as capital investment entrants.
HKTBC Facilitates English Schools JV in Thailand (June 2003)
The Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council has been instrumental in bringing together the partners for a joint venture that will bring English language educational programs to business professionals in Thailand.
The two partners are Canada-based Pacific Education Group, whose managing director is HKTBC-member Andrew Chan, and Kluaynamthai Hospital Group, whose managing director is Sranyoo Chanate.
The JV will initially deliver specially developed English programs to nurses and health care staff at Kluaynamthai Hospital's training school. The curriculum will also be marketed to other local hospitals, and the JV plans to develop a similar program aimed at banking and insurance industry professionals.
Bernard Chan, Chairman of the HKTBC, said the Council was pleased to have been able to play a part in bringing the two partnerships together, and he looked forward to seeing more Council members and other parties find new opportunities through cooperation and partnership.
Prime Minister Thaksin's Speech at CLSA (21 May 2003)
On 21 May 2003, His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, was invited to give a speech about the lastest developments in Thailand at CLSA virtual forum broadcasted simultaneously in New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong. (Click here for the speech)
Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council As the IBC Member (April 2003)
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, has agreed to admit the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council ("HKTBC") as a Member of his International Business Committee ("IBC") on April 2003. It is indeed a recognition for HKTBC as one of the major business associations in Hong Kong.
The International Business Committee, meets quarterly, was established in late 1989 with the terms of reference of providing a sounding board and forum for discussion for international business representatives with the Government on matters affecting international perceptions of the business environment in Hong Kong. Current membership includes the Chief Secretary as the Chairman, 27 representatives from foreign chambers of commerce and HKTDC, one ad personam appointment of the Hon Martin Barrow, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology, Director-General of Investment Promotion, Director of Information Services, Deputy Director of Information Services and Assistant Director of Information Services.
The HKTBC shall provide updates in our website or via e-mail, on the issues discussed by IBC.
Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council Launched (25 Sept 2002)
A private-sector organization to encourage closer ties and new partnerships between businesses in Hong Kong and Thailand was launched at a special inauguration dinner held in Hong Kong on 25 Sept 2002.
The body, the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council, has Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Tung Chee-hwa as its patrons. The first Chairman of the Council is Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan, Executive Director and Deputy Managing Director of Asia Financial Group.
The inauguration at the Island Shangri-La Hotel was attended by Mr Korn Dabbaransi, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Antony Leung, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Henry Tang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, and Mr Ji Peiding, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong SAR, as well as advisors and founding members of the Council.
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