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Two business pioneers provided some practical advice to the discussion. Boonkiet Chokwatana, director of Saha Pathana Inter- Holding PCL, a consumer goods manufacturer that invested over a billion baht on a new production base in Myanmar, admitted that Saha Pathana at first had no intention of penetrating foreign markets.for foreigners in each country are obscure and unstable. Even if it seems clear, we can’t be 100% assured and we need advice from someone who is knowledgeable.We didn’t focus on overseas markets, but our intention to create high-quality products attracted foreign customers“We didn’t focus on overseas markets, but our intention to create high-quality products attracted foreign customers,” Mr Boonkiet said. “The company opened some factories abroad to seek out new opportunities, since if we didn’t we would be too late to get to know ASEAN and lose competitiveness.”“We managed to find good partners due to the fact we are a good partner as well,” Mr Boonkiet added. “We won’t take advantage of others and at the same time we’ve learned to forgive and accept it when the company loses some benefits because of partners.”Starting a business in a foreign country needs support from local partners, he said. “An experienced and trusted counterpart is important, because investment regulations“Sixty per cent of business owners fail because of inefficient partners,” he said. “People in neighbouring countries can carry a bias and see Thais as their enemy. Sometimes understanding of the historicalSupachai Verapuchong, deputy managing director of pharmaceutical giant Thai Nakorn Patana, pointed out that finding a good partner is not easy.Elite+ 13