BANGKOK, Sept 5 – Indonesian and Thai investors are setting up a chamber of commerce to boost the economic cooperation of both countries.
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce chairman I Wayan Subagia said the new chamber is to create opportunities for Indonesian and Thai businesses in the industrial sector, including Indonesian investments in Thailand and vice versa, covering small- and medium-sized as well as large enterprises.
The new organisation, set to start membership activities in November, also aims to create new investors to continue good relations between both nations.
Prajuab Chaiyasan, advisor to the Indonesian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Indonesia is already a Thai trade partner. As it has a population of over 250 million, the country a large market for Thailand, and it has many natural resources such as coal, oil, natural gas, forests and rubber.
Indonesia is the world’s second largest rubber producer after Thailand. The country also produces oil palm, which Thailand can import for consumption and biodiesel production. Indonesia is one of Thailand’s main markets for rice export as well as for tourist arrivals at around two million annually.
Once the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) takes effect in 2015, Mr Prajuab said the collaboration between the two nations will play a major role in promoting closer ties among investors.
