Business chiefs launch ‘Phuket Privilege Card’
Some prominent members of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce (PCC) have joined together to launch a new range of services through ‘Phuket Privilege Card’ to facilitate investment into the province by assisting members when interacting with government agencies in order to set up fully legal operations on the island.
The Phuket Privilege Card (PPC) aims to be a model for other areas to follow, by providing a host of integrated services for members as a ‘One Stop Service, explained Phuket Chamber of Commerce Chairman Kongsak Khoopongsakorn.
“Through the Phuket Privilege Card, we can provide advice and facilitate foreign businessmen conducting trade and investing in Phuket in accordance with legal regulations,” Mr Kongsak said.
Both Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum were present at the launch of the Phuket Privilege Card at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah Hotel in Wichit on Mar 21 as a show of support of the initiative.
“Phuket is a province that has factors in economic growth and tourism that increase every year,” noted former PCC Chairman Thanusak Phungdet, now Chairman of the Board of Directors of Phuket Privilege Card Co Ltd.
“There is complete development in every dimension. These things affect the investment potential which can attract many Thai and foreign businessmen around the world. But in the past, there was no ‘One Stop Service Center’ for the private sector to provide convenience quickly and correctly,” he added.
“Therefore, Thai business leaders who are members of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce joined together to establish Phuket Privilege Card Co Ltd, or PPC, to be a centre for foreign investors who wish to come to trade and invest in Phuket,” he said.
At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March last year, the signatories to the MoU were 10 private sector organisations, including the Phuket branch of the Federation of Thai Industries; the Thai Hotel Association Southern chapter, of which Mr Kongsak was formerly the president; the Phuket Tourist Association and the Phuket Real Estate Business Association.
Among the ‘privileges’ extended to members through the service are advice on trade, investment, legal counsel, coordination with government agencies, state enterprises and local government administrative organisations, Mr Thanusak said.
“The Phuket Privilege Card provides a balancing act for the private sector, by building confidence among foreign investors who want to invest in Phuket legally, that they will be treated equally and fairly by the government, with PPC [Phuket Privilege Card service] helping to facilitate,” he said.
“When these images are good, it will encourage investment in the area. And we hope to be a model for ‘One Stop Service’ that other provinces can develop and build upon.”