Investment is starting to flow into the government's planned special economic zones (SEZs) with 39 projects worth 7.2 billion baht applying for promotional privileges from the Board of Investment (BoI).
The Special Economic Zone Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, yesterday acknowledged the investment applications by the private sector.
Porametee Vimolsiri, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said that of the total, 21 projects with 3.8 billion baht in investment capital applied for privileges in Tak. The applications were mainly for plastic packaging from Thai, Chinese and Taiwanese investors.
Five projects worth 916 million baht applied for investment in Mukdahan, largely for construction materials. The investors were mostly Thai, Chinese and Japanese.
Three projects worth 849 billion baht from Thai investors applied for investment in Sa Kaeo to produce plastic packaging.
Trat had three projects worth 568.43 million baht from Thai and Australian investors to make containers, plastic pellets and consumer products.
Nong Khai drew three investment projects worth 399.83 million baht from Thai investors to produce containers, plastic pellets and consumer products, while Thai investors applied for a project worth 13.5 million baht in Songkhla to produce herbs.
A project to produce crepe rubber in Chiang Rai drew 16 million baht.
Mr Porametee said the BoI expected investment applications to reach 10 billion baht by the end of the year.
In a related development, Gen Prayut also assigned the NESDB to revise infrastructure development plans in Kanchanaburi to make them compliant with the Dawei development project.
SEZ development is a major policy aimed at boosting investment and trade in border areas. The government decided two years ago to set up industrial estates in SEZs in 10 provinces for the purposes of agriculture, industry, logistics and tourism.
Tak, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Mukdahan, Songkhla and Nong Khai were designated for the first phase. Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Narathiwat and Nakhon Phanom were named for the second phase.
Mr Porametee said the government is also committed to the Dawei development project, and Gen Prayut had already assigned Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith to head the Thai delegation attending an informal meeting in Myanmar in August.