SOEs pour B100bn into key projects

SOEs pour B100bn into key projects

State enterprises in the first half of the year invested more than 100 billion baht in energy infrastructure projects, under the government's economic stimulus policy.

The policy is being implemented to keep the economy afloat while private parties remain reluctant to invest during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Most of the investment has gone into large projects by PTT Plc and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and their affiliates, such as the new liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in Rayong, the fifth natural gas pipeline project, and a nationwide electricity transmission expansion project, said Rachada Dhanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, yesterday.

The goal for this year is to invest a total of 200 billion baht in these energy businesses, she said, citing a report by Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.

As for total investment by all 43 state enterprises, the State Enterprise Policy Office reports that at the end of June, 191 billion baht in investment funds, or 101% of the planned total investment, has been disbursed, she said.

Among large investment projects achieving higher-than-expected disbursement were the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project's 1st phase (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima), the Red Line electric rail project (Bang Sue-Rangsit), the high-speed train linking three airports, and the Orange Line electric rail project (Cultural Centre-Min Buri), she said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has stressed the need for all ministries and state enterprises to accelerate their investment projects to strengthen the economy during the crisis, she said.

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