Nine Hemaraj industrial estates, operated by SET-listed WHA Corporation Plc (WHA Group), have been approved to become special industrial zones by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) management committee.
Yesterday, the group announced the nine estates located in two EEC provinces -- Chon Buri and Rayong -- spanning 34,434 rai in the EEC.
A WHA statement said the committee approved eight industrial estates in addition to Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4, which was approved last November as an EEC industrial promotion zone.
Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, WHA chairman and group chief executive, said the nine industrial estates will play an instrumental role in the development of S-curve industries in the EEC, in particular aviation, logistics, next-generation automotive, automation and robotics, smart electronics, biofuels and biochemicals, and digital.
"These estates will reinforce our commitment to play an active role in the development of the 10 targeted industries for the benefit of all stakeholders," Ms Jareeporn said.
David Nardone, WHA Industrial Development's group executive for industrial and international, said the move means an excellent opportunity to promote a skilled workforce for higher-wage jobs, while the openings in the S-curve policy will boost productivity and make the industrial environment more global.
The logistics offers facilities and distribution centres with more than 2.2 million square metres at 19 strategic locations nationwide.
The industrial development has nine industrial estates spread over 46,434 rai, more than 720 global customers, 1,088 land or factory contracts, and $30.5 billion invested in Rayong, Chon Buri and Saraburi.
Utilities and power are operated by SET-listed WHA Utilities and Power Plc, which supplies 113 million cubic metres of water a year and 510.5 operational equity megawatts.
The digital platform is aimed at supporting customers at the business intelligence operation, WHA Infonite.
Separately, the group said revenue in the first quarter rose by 153% to 3.45 billion baht as net profit soared 886% to 780 million baht.
Positive contributing factors were revenue from industrial land sales and sales of water supply at industrial estates.
Moreover, WHA generated revenue from transferring assets into the Hemaraj Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust, expecting to complete the transaction by the fourth quarter this year, including the WHA Premium Growth Real Estate Investment Trust.
WHA Group expects full-year revenue to grow by 25% in 2018 through the sale of 1,400 rai of land.