November 6, 2008
Bangkok - British Ambassador Quinton Mark Quayle asked Thai government to promote investment and free trade.
British ambassador to Thailand met Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsab on October 4.
Thai government was urged to discuss the enforcement of the Retail and Wholesale Business Act with private companies such as Tesco Lotus, Big C and Carrefour.
Quinton Mark Quayle said foreign businessmen understood Thai government needed to control retail business to be fair with all parties.
However, he thought that branch expansion should not be banned.
Commerce Minister Chaiya confirmed he would discuss the enforcement of the act with the private sector and would not amend the Alien Business Act.
Quinton Quayle expected Thailand’s political problem would be solved or it would affect the economic growth.
United Kingdom’s investment funds currently value up to 6,000 million US dollars. Tesco Lotus has up to 500 outlets in Thailand.
Bilateral trade was nearly 5,000 million US dollars.
