Bangkok--20 Mar--BCCT The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) is delighted to announce the launch of its “Thailand Means Business 2008”campaign to help improve the confidence of UK business in Thailand. During 2008, BCCT will organize a series of ‘business to business’ seminars targeted at British companies seeking to invest in or trade with Thailand in different locations in the UK (and Hong Kong and Singapore). These seminars will present a positive view of the many opportunities that exist in Thailand balanced by the challenges faced by foreign businesses. Speakers will be invited from Thailand-based members of the BCCT. During 2007 BCCT members were concerned that their businesses could have been adversely affected by changes to legislation such as the Foreign Business Act. While technically some of these draft laws remain active, the new government has announced plans to actively promote foreign investment in Thailand. BCCT Chairman Rodney Bain says “Despite concerns during 2007, the UK remained the largest European investor in Thailand. Our bilateral relationship is also very positive, amply demonstrated by next week’s visit to Thailand by Lord Digby Jones, the UK’s Minister for Trade, one of the first visits by a foreign trade minister since the election of the new government”. Mr Bain continues “The new government has stated a need to attract greater foreign investment to Thailand. ‘Thailand Means Business 2008’ is BCCT’s way of supporting this desire by passing on its wealth of knowledge and practical experience of doing business in Thailand to UK companies, in particular to those that may have cancelled or suspended their investment or trading plans during the last couple of years. I hope that ‘Thailand Means Business 2008’ will contribute directly to an increase in investment and trade between the two Kingdoms.” 2007 was a record year for the BCCT with membership exceeding 660. Event sponsorship reached best ever levels and a record sum (approximately THB 2.5 million) was donated to charities in Thailand. Mr Bain concludes “BCCT has an ambitious programme of activities in 2008 including visits to regional centres in Thailand, continuation of our Thai-language events and the ‘Thailand Means Business 2008’ campaign. We actively welcome new members.” For more information please contact: Samantha Sangsingkaew-Hyde Assistant Events Manager British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) Tel : 662-651-5350-3 Fax : 662-651-5354 Email: [email protected] www.bccthai.com