winning_with_technology
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Thailand must take advantage from FTA<br />
Thai industries must take advantage of the greater<br />
business opportunities brought by globalization.<br />
Geographically, Thailand is located at the center of ASEAN<br />
<strong>with</strong> a population of 580 million as one single market.<br />
Thailand has many advantages in good infrastructures<br />
and highly skilled labor, but Thai industries have to create<br />
technological competence and innovative products to serve<br />
this big market. Thailand was traditionally a food exporting<br />
country. We were the largest exporters of rice, natural rubber,<br />
fruit, vegetables, shrimps and canned sea food to the US, EU,<br />
and countries in Asia. We can maintain the position in food<br />
exports if the government helps these industries by setting up<br />
Food Safety Standards for exports.<br />
China and India are taking advantage of their larger<br />
scale of production. Their commodity products are<br />
cheap. Foreign investments in high <strong>technology</strong> industries<br />
enable them to catch up quickly <strong>with</strong> changes their<br />
products to better quality and higher <strong>technology</strong> products to<br />
export. The growth of these two countries creates<br />
121<br />
Banja Junhasavasdikul, Ph.D.