Cynthia M. Pornavalai, a partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ corporate and commercial group, was interviewed by Asian Legal Business  magazine for her views on Thailand’s preparations for the AEC. Commenting on the National Single Window, which will create a full one-stop service for traders, facilitate cross-border trade, and link to similar systems in other ASEAN countries within the ASEAN Single Window, Cynthia said that the expertise of legal professionals will be required to link such systems because it “would require a thorough understanding of documentary requirements and the rules of origin.”

Discussing the relationship between SMEs and AEC integration, Cynthia said, “with the tight labor market situation in Thailand, small manufacturing companies are in greater need of unskilled labor, which is plentiful in border countries including Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.” “SMEs can increase their profitability by setting up manufacturing operations in these border countries,” she continued.

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