THAI BUSINESSS URGED TO SHAPE UP BEFORE AEC

       Impriving production capability and increasing the efficiency of labour wil be crucial for Thai enterprises if they are to cope with tougher competition under the move towards an Asean Economic Community(AEC)by 2015, leading businessmen said yesterday.
       Dusit Nontanakorn, chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said enterprises should urgently prepare for seamless trade and investment under the AEC ot ensure their competitiveness with other countries.
       "To do so, businessmen must focus on increasing production, and on labour efficiencies. Thai enterprises can tap a larger market, which will go up from 65 million at present to 560 million under a single market. Enterprises must urgently develop their businesses to reap the benefits from the AEC," said Dusit.
       Asia and countries in Asean are becoming attractive as their economies are expected to come out of the global crisis ahead of other nations. In addition, the emerging econimic power of India and China has prompted the West to look eastwards to sustain the world's economic growth.
       The Board of Trade, Thailand Management Assocation and Thai Institute of Directors Association, in association with the International Chamber of Commerce, will launch the first "Asean Business Forum" in Bangkok on October 26-27, after the Asean Summit in Hua Hin.
       The event aims to help Asean businesses boost their potential to compete after the trade and investment liberalisation among the 10 asean countries, as well as with foreign counterparts.
       The Asean Business Forum will be held at the Plaza Athenee Hotel.
       Charnchai Charuvasts, president and CEO of the Thai Insitute of Directors Association, said the AEC could be seen as an opportunity or a threat by Thai enterprises.
       Thai traders can access a larger market for trading and investing, while Thailand will also allow other countries to trade and invest freely in the Kingdom. If Thai businessmen could develop their efficiency, they would enjoy better business growth.
       However, if they fail to develop their business efficiency, they could suffer as a result of the fiercer competition from other Asean enterprises, said Charnchai.
       Thailand Mangement Association president Preecha Chaochotechuang said the Asean Business Forum is expected to attract over 500 entrepreneurs. About 100 will come from foreign enterprise.