French retail giant Carrefour has established an executive training programme in Thailand to nurture local talent.
The aim is to produce 75 to 100 graduates a year, and the first course begins next month. Operational and managerial training will be provided.
Carrefour employs 7,000 people in Thailand, and began planning the extensive programme in March. It has attracted interest from more than 1,000 applicants.
The successful recruits are all university graduates who have had to pass a theory examination, aptitude tests and impress at an interview with top management.
Carrefour has 19 shops in Thailand and will open its 20th in Hat Yai in October. The retailer plans to open about six Thai stores next year.
The retail market in Thailand has become increasingly competitive in recent years as foreign players have pushed into the market. Tesco, Casino and Japanese retailer Aeon have all entered the country.
One analyst said: 'Carrefour has scaled back openings in Thailand from four to two this year, which is much less than Tesco, which is due to open 11 superstores and four hypermarkets.
'Carrefour hasn't got the strongest position in Thailand, but is trying to catch up.'
Carrefour's sales in Thailand were US$459 million (£249.4 million) last year, while Tesco managed US$1.59 billion (£864 million).
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