EEC to embrace 'circular economy'

EEC to embrace 'circular economy'

The government is focusing on implementing a circular economy within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to make its business and investment more environmentally friendly, according to Kanit Sangsubhan, secretary-general of the EEC Office.

Mr Kanit on Saturday addressed a session of the Asean Business and Investment Summit which is being held in line with the 35th Asean Summit and its Related Summits in Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

The EEC is a special investment zone covering areas in Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong provinces designed by the government to become a hub for trade and innovation.

Mr Kanit said the government has been cooperating with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) to implement a circular economy in the EEC which would see the zone aim to eliminate waste and the continual use and re-use of resources such as through recycling.

"The EEC Office and Unido are together developing a circular economy plan for the EEC project which includes provisions for water management and environmental development," he told participants at the session.

Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and chief executive officer of Siam Cement Group (SCG), Thailand's largest cement maker and industrial conglomerate, said the company has been working towards adhering to circular economic principles for more than two years.

"Asean aspires to be a major region and that means it has a responsibility to lead by example. Businesses and society must work together to embrace the idea of zero waste," he said.

Also during the session, Wijarn Simachaya, secretary-general of the Thailand Business Council for Sustainable Development (TBCSD) said the TBCSD is partnering with the government and private sector to push an environmentally-friendly approach to development.

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