Chinese investors will be looking to capitalise on infrastructure, fintech and e-commerce opportunities in Asean and Thailand this year, driven by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), says the head of Citibank Thailand.
Mr Pandi says Citi's Chinese clients should raise their Thai investment in 2018.
Chinese investors will expand their investment in the region in line with the Chinese government's BRI, which aims to strengthen the country's trade route along 65 countries, said Citibank Thailand country head Tibor Pandi.
"As a China-focused company, Citibank will profit enormously from the policy, which will encourage Chinese investment in Asean and Thailand," he said.
BRI may contribute to legitimising a particular view of globalisation and international order. This carries implications for the future of trade, financial connectivity, infrastructure-led development and global governance, said Mr Pandi.
Citi's customers interested in investing in Asean operate in a variety of industries and are especially interested in the Thailand 4.0 and Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects, he said.
"Some of Citi's customers in Thailand and overseas are interested in investing in Thailand. The growing number of investors in Thailand and Asean represents an opportunity for Citi to increase its customer base," said Mr Pandi.
Chinese investment in Thailand and Asean is largely directed towards infrastructure projects like roads and railways. Aviation, power plants, and automotive are also highly sought-after sectors for investors.
"Our customers' aggregate investment is expected to increase next year," he said.
Chokedee Kaewsang, deputy secretary of the Thai Board of Investment, said Chinese investors are interested in the EEC project.
The BRI project will also contribute to foreign investment in Asean and Thailand, he said.
China is the second-largest investor in Thailand, after Japan. The government has already approved the EEC regulations, and is set to implement them next year.
