SCB has continued to increase its loan portfolio of Chinese businesses investing in Thailand. (Photo: Bangkok Post) The survey is based on responses from 170 Chinese investors who are involved inFDI-related businesses. Some 61 percent of respondents are Chinese investorsinvesting and doing business in Thailand.
According to the survey, 66 percent of the 170 respondents said they plan toincrease investment in Thailand over the next two years, while 22 percentexpect to maintain the existing investment portion, and 12 percent said they planto reduce investment locally.
Local market expansion is the primary reason attracting Chinese FDI inflow intoThailand, representing 56 percent of motive variables, followed by ASEAN marketexpansion at 40 percent and the use of local raw materials at 37 percent.
Based on this survey, SCB expects Chinese FDI inflows to increase significantlyin the post-COVID-19 period. Retained demand of Chinese investment during thepandemic will also lend support to Chinese FDI inflow moving into SoutheastAsia's second largest economy in the next few years.
SCB’s chief financial officer and first executive vice president ManopSangiambut said besides existing investment from Chinese manufacturingbusinesses in Thailand, new industries, such as technology, services and foodand restaurant business have also expressed interest in expanding intoThailand.
Some Chinese investors are also looking for local business partners throughjoint venture or merger and acquisition deals in Thailand, he added.
SCB, the country's fourth largest commercial lender by total assets, hascontinued to increase its loan portfolio to Chinese businesses investing inThailand. The bank currently focuses mainly on large listed companies onChina's bourses and state-owned enterprises.
Chief economist at SCB Economic Intelligence Center Yunyong Thaicharoen saidgreater clarity of Chinese FDI inflows will transpire in the second half asinvestors are assessing the government's management of the new COVID-19outbreak./.
VNA
