Representatives from the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) recently visited the Thanaleng Dry Port in Lao PDR, with the aim of encouraging Thai entrepreneurs to leverage the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs) through rail exports as well as exploring more trade opportunities between Thailand, Laos and China.
DTN Director-General Auramon Sapthaweetham explained that the Thanaleng Dry Port, located at the Vientiane Logistics Park, is a project initiated by Laos to enhance connections with neighboring countries. The goal is to transition the country from a landlocked nation to a border-connected one.
The port significantly enhances shipping logistics between Thailand, Laos and China by significantly reducing transport time.
Auramon noted that Thai fruit exports have dramatically increased since the opening of the China-Laos railway in 2021. The value of Thai fruit exports to China jumped from 90.41 million baht in 2021 to 1.96 billion baht in 2022. Their value for the first five months of 2023 further increased to 2.85 billion baht, with fresh durian accounting for 72% of the total fruit exports.
The trend reflects the growing popularity of Thai fruits among Chinese consumers. Auramon therefore suggested that Thai farmers and fruit exporters seize this opportunity to diversify their exports to China, leveraging the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Railway transportation is expected to play a crucial role in facilitating this process.
During the visit, Auramon also met with executives from PTT and Luang Phrabang’s Café Amazon to discuss potential opportunities for café investment expansion, given Laos’ renowned coffee plantations and increasing demand for branded, health-oriented beverages among its consumers. Additionally, the country’s growing tourism industry has significant potential for café business expansion.
Lastly, the department visited Luang Prabang’s first buffalo dairy farm in Laos. Buffalo milk is highly nutritious and serves as an excellent alternative for individuals allergic to cow’s milk. Auramon suggested that Thai farmers and entrepreneurs could learn from the farm and potentially expand the market for buffalo milk into Thailand due to its nutritional value and relative scarcity, which could command favorable prices. (NNT)
