Foreign investment rose in January, with applications approved by the Foreign Business Committee under the Foreign Business Act totalling 7.17 billion baht, up 39.8% year-on-year.
The number of foreign investors increased to 54 in January, up by two from a year earlier, according to the Department of Business Development.
Auramon Supthaweethum, the department’s director-general, said Japan topped the table with 15 approved ventures worth 3.79 billion baht, mainly in service-related businesses. They included providing equipment for acetylene black production, e-commerce platforms for sourcing housekeepers and cleaning staff, and contracted manufacturers for products such as aluminium cans, car components and industrial machinery.
Singapore had seven approved projects with investment totalling 1.09 billion baht. They included data centres, contracted manufacturers for electricity from solar energy, and software development for human resources and salary management, or for use within the restaurant industry.
Chinese investors had seven projects valued at 768 million baht. They comprised renting scaffolding for construction projects, retail products such as dietary supplements, medicinal products and sports equipment, as well as contracted manufacturing for products such as car seat cushions and specialty-coated plastic labels and packaging film.
US investors had six projects with investment totalling 26 million baht. They included website and application design, management and consulting. Retail businesses covering chemicals, seasonings and food additives were also part of the US investments.
Hong Kong had four investment projects worth 264 million baht mainly in services including restaurant management, as well as contracted manufacturing for audio-visual products, electronics for offices and services for the film industry.
Ventures by 17 foreign investors were approved in the government’s flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in January, with a total value of 2.3 billion baht.
Investors from Japan had five projects worth 476 million baht, followed by China with five projects valued at 462 million.
South Korea had two projects with an investment of 280 million baht, and other countries contributed five projects with a total investment of 1.08 billion baht.