JETRO-Japan Chamber of Commerce Pin Thailand as Long-Term Investment Base

The Board of Investment (BOI) announced that on January 30, 2024, representatives from JETRO and the Japan Chamber of Commerce met to discuss investment trends. A survey of 520 Japanese companies revealed optimistic economic outlook for Thailand's first half of 2024, with improved production and consumption expectations across multiple industries including automotive, electronics, chemicals, food, trade, and financial sectors. Key findings include: 23% of surveyed Japanese companies plan to increase investments in Thailand this year, 35% anticipate increased exports, and 26% plan to establish regional offices in the country. Notably, 44% of Japanese firms reported no significant impact from international trade factors like US reciprocal tariffs. The investment landscape shows promising growth, with 311 investment projects in 2023, representing a 17% increase and a substantial 146% growth in investment value to 119 billion baht. Automotive, electronics, and digital sectors remain primary investment targets, reinforcing Thailand's status as a critical production base in Southeast Asia.