Much still to be done before AEC

Thailand urged to put its house in order

Thailand still needs to address several issues to benefit from the Asean Economic Community (AEC) once it takes full effect in early 2016, says the government’s planning agency.

Porametee Vimolsiri, deputy secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said the government must first amend laws to facilitate trade and investment while upgrading trade competition law, as large-scale foreign investors are expected to flood the Asean market once regional economic integration takes place.

Thai SMEs also need accelerated assistance, particularly financial support and access to capital.

‘‘Large Thai businesses are quite active in preparing their business structure ahead of the AEC, with several having moved out to establish factories in neighbouring countries to avoid high costs at home,’’ he said.

The establishment of a single point of contact with 32 agencies, called the National Single Window, should also be sped up after long delays.

The NESDB said Thailand needs to develop infrastructure to accommodate links with neighbouring countries and facilitate border trade.

Most road links with neighbouring countries are completed, with two more motorways — Songkhla’s Hat Yai-Sadao and Nonthaburi’s Bang YaiKanchanaburi province — pending construction.

The government needs to upgrade 10 border checkpoints in order to facilitate trade and tourism.

More importantly, Mr Porametee urged each bordering province to accel- erate administrative restructuring to promote trade and investment, develop human resources and handle potential social and health issues caused by labour movement.

A mutual recognition arrangement commits Asean members to facilitate the movement of skilled workers in seven professions: doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers, architects, accountants and surveyors.

Asean professionals in these areas can work in other Asean countries, providing they meet local qualifications, pass licensing tests in that country’s local language and meet work permit requirements.

For tourism professionals, there are 32 job titles available for workers from member countries, but a work permit is still required.

The Thai government is being urged to accelerate its efforts to upgrade the quality of Thai human resources and language skills, said Mr Porametee.