Thailand eyes mutual benefits, economic opportunity through BRICS membership

China

Thailand eyes mutual benefits, economic opportunity through BRICS membership

2024-10-20 17:20 Last Updated At：23:47

Joining the BRICS group will bring mutual benefits, characterized by trade and economic opportunities, according to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

BRICS now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with the latter five becoming its members in January this year.

Thailand is bidding to become the latest member of the group.

Russia, the host this year, has invited Thailand to attend October's BRICS summit, something Thailand hopes will be a stepping stone to full membership.

"Any economic and political partnership can always bring mutual benefits, when we start from mutual understanding and knowing one another well. With BRICS, we would share interests in economics and trade opportunities, including digital economy, alternative energy, and of course in assisting one another to promote in the sustainability development," said Charnvirakul.

Charnvirakul also stressed Thailand's offering to the group, as it serves as a strategic gateway to the ASEAN market and a key player in the global food security.

"I would like to emphasize that Thailand has much to offer to the BRICS members. We are at a strategic location in the middle of Southeast Asia, making us a gateway to the ASEAN market with over 600 million people. As one of the main food producers, Thailand could be a great partner for food security, as we aim to be the kitchen of the world," said Charnvirakul.

Thailand can also explore its strength in tourism after joining the BRICS bloc, said Charnvirakul.

"We also have a lot to offer from our tourism industry. If you look at each country in BRICS, you might agree with me that they are all unique and quite exotic to visitors, so is Thailand. This is the area that we can be creative in exploring ways to enhance our strength. And in the big picture, I would say that Thailand could be a bridge that connects BRICS with the ASEAN region for unlimited economic opportunities. With China as one of BRICS key members, I am certain that our journey with BRICS beyond the summit will move forward smoothly," he explained.

The 16th BRICS Summit, the first to be held after the BRICS expansion, is scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan, Russia.

Palm-sized EV charger, customized garbage truck shine at Canton Fair

2024-10-20 22:26 Last Updated At：22:37

A palm-sized electric vehicle (EV) charger and a customized new energy garbage truck are among the latest cutting-edge products hogging the limelight at the 136th Canton Fair, which concluded its first phase on Saturday in south China's Guangzhou City.

The portable EV charger, developed by U.S. industrial conglomerate Honeywell and applicable to most types of EVs, turned a lot of heads at the event, also known as the China Import and Export Fair.

It can be used even at high-altitude areas and be connected to cell phones.

The charger is now available for purchase on online shopping platforms in the run-up to China's annual "Double 11", or Singles' Day, shopping festival which falls on Nov. 11.

"This is our latest product, and it sells at only 599 yuan during the 'Double 11.' We have raised the portable charger's rate of power to 3.5 kilowatts, and it can fully charge a car in around 10 hours. We are quite surprised to see so many more guests this year, especially those from South America and Eastern Europe, who are interested in new energy chargers. We expect a significant increase of orders this year," said Zhang Shaozhi, an exhibitor at Honeywell's exhibition booth.

Meanwhile, Skyworth, known as an electric appliance producer, is exhibiting its new garbage truck at the new energy vehicle area.

The truck, with a load capacity of 3.2 tonnes, features a driving cab which can be assembled by drivers themselves.

Equipped with a lighter vehicle chassis and noise absorption devices, the truck caters to the needs of environmental protection in South and Central Asian countries.

"The chassis is very light, so it can carry 600 kilograms more than a vehicle of the same class," said an exhibitor at Skyworth's exhibition booth.

The import exhibition at the Phase 1 of the Canton Fair has attracted 213 participating enterprises from 28 countries and regions. So far, the Phase 1 has seen more than 200 new product launch events online and offline.

The 136th Canton Fair opened on Oct. 15 and will run through Nov. 4 in three phases, with the second phase to be held between Oct. 23 and 27, and the third between Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, respectively.