Japan wants to join with Thailand in Dawei deep seaport project
Japan sees a role for itself in Burma’s Dawei Port industrial-estate project, particularly in financing, by joining with Thailand.
“We’re thinking about how Japan can contribute to the Dawei project. We will try to establish the bond market and stimulate the flow of money into this area,” said Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).
Japan is interested in developing the port, roads, infrastructure and even the upstream steel project as part of its policy to promote the Greater Mekong Subregion. It will seek cooperation from Thai companies, as the countries have had a long history together, Yonekura said.
The Dawei (Tavoy) project is a massive one in the region. Besides taking part in the development, Japan would like to finance the project. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation may get involved, he said.
Yonekura, who is also chairman of Sumitomo Chemical, said Japan had not yet negotiated with the Burmese government about participating in the project.
Keidanren visited Thailand for a few days and met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.
On Wednesday, it held talks with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking on the topic “Deepening Economic Partnership: Towards Regional Connectivity”.
Visit Limprana, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said Thailand wanted to collaborate with Japan in investing in infrastructure projects in neighbouring countries. For instance, if both countries could take part in road construction, it would help companies save on logistics costs when shipping to countries in the region.
“Many countries now look at Asia as an opportunity to invest. We encourage Japan to participate actively in Mekong/Asean connectivity,” he said.
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