Thai export centre planned for Bahrain

       A Thai distribution centre is set to open in Bahrain next year to supply Thai products to countries in the Persian Gulf.
       "The new centre will handle stock worth about 30-40 billion baht for about three months," said Kiat Sittheeamorn,head of the Thailand Trade Representative office.
       The first-ever regional distribution centre is a co-investment by the private sectors in Thailand and Bahrain, but will be managed by the Thai side, he said. The trade office will design it and construction is expected to be completed next year. The investment cost is not yet available.
       The centre will focus initially on handling construction materials, rice, tapioca and halal food.
       It is part of the government's ambitious plan to expand Thai exports to new markets, particularly the Middle East.
       Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said recently that Thailand was poised to establish joint ventures with Gulf states - either governmentto-government or business-to-business - to secure rice, processed agricultural products and food supplies for the oilrich countries.
       At the first ministerial meeting between Asean and The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) in late June in Bahrain,Thailand focused on Bahrain as well-placed to become a regional food production and stockpiling centre, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as a potential trading and distribution centre for the region, he said.
       The food price scare - which receded as commodity prices slid in the global downturn - pushed many oil-rich and food-poor Gulf states to seek long-term lease rights to overseas farmlands.
       The Gulf states have focused growing interest on farmland in Southeast Asia,particularly in Thailand.
       In a separate development, Mr Kiat said Thailand plans to organise a forum for about 400-500 business leaders prior to the World Economic Forum set for Vietnam on June 6,2010.