|
Thai executive tells Thais to come to VN
A Thai entrepreneur based in Viet Nam has urged Thai companies to expand into Viet Nam in preparation for the imminent spurt in the flow of goods and services once the ASEAN Economic Community comes into being in 2015.
"Once the markets open up and there is free competition, companies that have not been outward-looking will have a tough time trying to compete," Suwes Wangrunarun, senior vice president of CP Viet Nam Livestock Corporation, was quoted by the Bangkok Post newspaper as saying.
Speaking at a recent seminar in Bangkok, Suwes said Viet Nam had one of the cheapest labour forces in the region, even cheaper than China's.
With its large skilled and unskilled workforce, the country was poised to become a regional hub for trade and investment.
The Thailand-based CP Group, which had more than US$1.2 billion in annual sales in Viet Nam, had expanded over the years, and was looking at opening two new plants this year.
Other panellists said the cost of doing business in Viet Nam was so cheap that it would be difficult for countries like Thailand to compete.
Suwes said the monthly wage of an unskilled worker in Viet Nam was around 2,500 baht ($83) against nearly 9,000 baht ($300) in Thailand. A new graduate in Viet Nam would earn around 9,000 baht against 15,000 to 18,000 baht in Thailand.
Soraya Runckel, vice president of Runckel & Associates, said she was keen on investing in Binh Duong Province, an hour's drive from HCM City.
Factories and shops could take advantage of lower wages, a young population and enthusiastic workers.
Provincial officials had simplified foreign investment procedures by cutting regulations and advising on credit sources.
Viet Nam has a population of 86 million and establishing an export base there brings companies closer to China.
vietnamnews
|
