The Udon Thani Industrial City, the first industrial estate in the kingdom's northeastern region, is expected to welcome its first group of investors in April.
Managing director Phisit Piputvilaikul said construction of the estate, covering 2,170 rai, is on schedule despite the Covid-19 outbreak. The first phase of development, covering 1,100 rai, has been completed.
The first phase, with an investment of 12 billion baht, involves the construction of logistics facilities, water distribution and drainage pipes and roads.
The water production system has the daily production capacity of 4,000 cubic metres (m³), while the wastewater treatment system has a capacity of 3,200m³ -- both systems will be completed in April.
The second phase development, with an investment of 8 billion baht, is about 70% complete, including the electricity supply system, he said.
Mr Phisit said the industrial estate is expected to sign an agreement with a Denmark-based company month while two Chinese operators have shown interest.
Production is expected to commence in six months if they decide to build their factories here, he said, adding that three warehouses have been booked for product storage like tapioca flour and sugar.
The industrial estate will house 25 warehouses of various sizes.
According to Mr Phisit, the container yard scheme will be sped up following the launch of a medium-speed train connecting China and Laos, which is expected to begin services next month.
He added the estate is expected to link up with the State Railway of Thailand's tracks, connecting it with Nong Takai station in Udon Thani.
Mr Phisit also thanked the government for supporting the industrial estate project and seeing its potential as an engine growth for the region.
According to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, the industrial estate will serve 80-100 factories, create 20,000 jobs and generate up to 100 billion baht.
Udon Thani is known to have high agricultural processing potential due to its sugar cane, cassava and rice plantations.