Belt and Road boosts trade and business growth in Thailand: official

Sontirat Sontijirawong, vice-minister of the Commerce Ministry of Thailand, stated that Thai enterprises should expedite their adaptation while improving their efficiency. Management must reach higher standards in order to strengthen cooperation with foreign businesses.

He further added that Thai enterprises should attach importance to the Belt and Road Initiative and view it as an opportunity to access more consumers in Asia and establish connections with foreign businesses. Of particular benefit to Thai enterprises is the sea-air-land transport network which China is developing along the Belt and Road routes.

He contends that Thailand has the potential to become ASEAN's gateway to China along the Belt and Road, as well as a regional logistics center.

Thailand is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN. The trade between Thailand and China in the first five months of this year hit US$28.88 billion.