Quiz 2 Set B

REPORT EXAMPLE (QUIZ II, SET B)

MEMO REPORT To: From: Subject: Subject:

Governor of Satun Province Napat Beams, Analyst February 19, 2007 The Pak Bara deep-sea port project

With your authorization, I have analyzed the plans to develop the Pak Bara deep-sea port to be built on the south Andaman coast. Although the port will benefit Thailand economically as a main outlet for exports to India, the Middle East and Europe, coastal fishermen and environmentalists are against its development which is now in its early stages. The analysis is followed by recommendations based on the data collected from my interviews with several residents in the areas, environmentalists and some engineers responsible for the port development.

Findings and Analysis The following analysis indicates the advantages and disadvantages of this project that will particularly benefit Southeast Asian nations and China: Its advantages are many. The port will become Thailand’s main outlet for exports to India, the Middle East, and Europe, bypassing ports in Singapore and Malaysia. It will have 50,000 tons cargo capacity, container storage yards and a separate pier to serve tourist boats to islands in the nearby marine parks. Shipping goods from the port will be US$214 cheaper per container, and will shorten the traveling time of cargo ships by five days. It will even more important than Laem Chabang, the country’s largest port. The port will also perfect fit with China’s export strategy. The port will also attract investors to invest in Satun. Despites these advantages, the project has one major disadvantage. As it is going to be in the Patra National Marine Park that has a chain of islands with waters that are rich in marine resources that local fishermen depend on for their livelihoods, the fishermen fear the marine ecosystem will be destroyed and the shrimp and other local marine resources will disappear. Most of the district’s fishing vessels catch fish and shrimp just off the coastline. Another potential disadvantage is that a bridge that will stretch from the shore to the deep-water area of the port will obstruct the fishing boats’ routes, forcing fishermen to navigate around the bridge to get from one side of the bay to the other. This will double their fuel costs. Fish firms along the mangrove forests across the district will be polluted with wastewater and air pollution created by the industrial activities around the port.

Recommendations I would like to recommend the following actions based on this analysis which are to be implemented by the Transport Ministry so that the disadvantages will be minimal: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

There should be more thorough feasibility study before going ahead with its later stages to make sure the project does not have the potential impact on the environment. The fishermen should be informed of the benefits they will have from this project and how the project will be carried out without affecting them. A railway line between the port and Trang or Hat Yai should be built for a better transport. Wastewater and air pollution control machines should be used to control all pollution around the port. Fishermen who will be affected by the project should be sufficiently compensated.

Conclusion Your thorough implementation of these recommendations will certainly help the project go ahead successfully without affecting the people in the area and the environment. Those who are against the project will understand its benefits and safety. Thailand will have the largest port that will serve all countries in the Mekong region and boost its trade ties with all the countries involved. There will be more investors attracted by the port investing in Satun which will also benefit economically. (601 words)