CP chairman upbeat over China's market

Dhanin Chearavanont, chairman of the Thailand's Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, reiterated that the company has been optimistic about China's developmental outlook, and will adhere to the policy of investing in China.

Being the businessman who has an investment of nearly US$6 billion and 213 firms in China, Dhanin said he believes China's market still has enormous potential, with even more opportunities than 30 years ago.

With reference to the strategy in China's market in the future, Dhanin said CP will continue to attach importance to agriculture and food industry. "As Chinese people's income increased, their requirement for food will be stricter, and they will expect the food to be safer, cleaner and healthier, which means market opportunities," he said.

At the same time, he suggested the Chinese government to moderately raise the general prices of agricultural products, so as to enrich the 700 million Chinese farmers and subsequently boost China's domestic consumption.

Dhanin said the China-Asean Free Trade Area (CAFTA) agreements are beneficial to both, with Asean probably being the side enjoying an extra advantage.

He believes that the Thai government needs to implement favourable policies and facilitate the export of goods attractive to the China market.

As for CP, the leading conglomerate in Thailand, he said, it would be glad to serve as a bridge in the economic and financial exchange between Thailand and China.

"Sino-Thai cooperation should become a good model for Sino-Asean cooperation." said Dhanin.