Thailand has been given the status of a strategic partner by China for jointly developing logistics activities UNDER the project.
The agreement for academic cooperation on the project was signed yesterday between Beijing Normal University Zhuhai and Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, paving the way for another agreement between the Guangdong Logistics Industry Association and the Thai Logistics and Production Association to implement the project in Guangzhou NEXT month.
Guangzhou, which accounts for 38 per cent of trade value between China and the rest of the world, was chosen to BE developed - together with the Bangkok's Bang Na-Trat Road area - as the logistics LOCATION , as it is a major gateway to China and has the most potential.
Guangzhou is a municipality of Guangdong province.
Thailand has chosen the Bang Na-Trat Road area as it has a number of industrial estates, and also the advantage of proximity to Suvarnabhumi Airport and Laem Chabang seaport.
The agreement follows years of negotiations between the two countries.
SPEAKING at a seminar yesterday, Pisanu Rienmahasarn, dean of the Business Administration Faculty of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, said Guangzhou and the Bang Na-Trat Road area were similar in terms of transport facilities. Both locations are close to a major airport and a deep-sea port.
Guangdong is located in ONE of China's four economic zones - the Zhujing Economic Zone, which includes eight other provinces on the lower Zhujing River - and also in the Pan Pearl River delta, which includes Hong Kong and Macau.
Besides, there will be markets in response to these logistics developments.
"For Thai firms, there is the potential for exporting products such as electronics parts, plastic pellets, rubber and cassava to Guangzhou," said Pisanu.
Aksornsri Phanishsarn, assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, said Guangzhou's economy is now bigger than that of Thailand, mainly driven by China's go-west policy.
Aksornsri said 29 PER cent of Asean-China trade value was from the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation, in which Thailand participates.
In addition, Guangdong can be connected by WATER , road and air transport. It is also one of the largest markets for Thai exports.
"It is appropriate to choose Guangdong as a dual hub for logistics with Bangkok," said Aksornsri.
Viboon Tangkittipaporn, chairman of Far East Legal Counselling, said the 11th economic and social development master plan of Guangdong is focused on developing imports and exports with Asean, increasing the degree of INVESTMENT cooperation with Asean and SUPPORTING its small and medium-sized enterprises.
"That's why the Bangkok-Guangzhou logistics dual-hub cooperation is IMPORTANT ," he said.