Above:Workers assembled cars at a Honda Motor (Thailand) plant in Ayutthaya.

Japanese firms operating in Thailand expect the local economy to improve in the second half of 2015 on the back of government expenditures and increasing automobile exports, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Bangkok said.

According to a survey conducted by the JCCB, Japanese corporations in Thailand are most desirous of continuing political stability and security (67%) followed by the promotion of economic measures (66%) and an improvement in customs-related systems and implementations, JCCB official Masayasu Hosumi said at a press conference Tuesday.

In 2014, the government designated five special economic zones along the borders with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar as part of a national strategy to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign investment, foster development of border areas and support Asean integration.

However, the survey found that only 4% of respondents are interested in the SEZs, while 56% are “not interested” and 29% saying they do not have adequate information.

The questionnaire was handed out from May 25 to June 15 to 1,620 members, of which 415 firms responded.

Source:Bangkok Post