The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Committee yesterday approved adding education to the targeted industries, raising the number of promoted sectors to 12 for the government's flagship initiative.
The existing industries are new-generation automobiles; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology; food; robotics for industry; logistics and aviation; biofuels and biochemicals; digital; medical services; and defence.
New investment in the 12 targeted industries is expected to top 500 billion baht during 2018-22.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told the EEC Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that education is vital and a complement to the government's Thailand 4.0 initiative.
Kanit Sangsubhan, secretary-general of the EEC Office, said the meeting assigned related defence and education agencies to map out the details of development, while instructing the Board of Investment to design appropriate promotional privileges to stimulate investment.
Details are required to be submitted at the next meeting of the EEC Committee.
Mr Kanit said the panel also approved guidelines and international roadshows to persuade investors to invest in the EEC.
The EEC Office was assigned to conduct a proactive plan to attract anchor investors in each targeted industry through cooperation with the BoI, Foreign Ministry, Industry Ministry and Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.
The first roadshow will take place in Germany later this year, with a focus on electric cars and other high-tech industries.
Mr Kanit said the committee told the EEC Office and related agencies to accelerate land utilisation and town planning for the EEC. The plan should be complete within a year, as required by the EEC Act.
The office was also instructed to develop one-stop services in the EEC to help investors; speed up establishing a fund to ease the impact on residents in EEC areas; and rev up smart city and tourism development.
Furthermore, the committee ordered the EEC Office to study the feasibility of expanding the corridor into additional provinces besides Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong.