InfoQuest (March 22) -- Mr. Kanit Saengsuphan, Secretary General of EEC predicted that, in 2019, the investment value boosted by EEC related projects will be no less than 300 billion baht, and it will fuel the growth of Thai GDP this year.
"From the next year, EEC will create investment no less than 300 billion baht and new jobs no less than 100 thousand per year, to boost Thai economic growth by about 2 percent, and narrow the gap between Thai people and those of EEC. The investment will also enable Thai economic structure to enter the "Thailand 4.0" era through technology-enabled income creation and improved livelihood," said Mr. Kanit.
By driving investment in 10 target industries, the results will be better than set objectives. Obviously, the investment increased value by over 200 percent, leading to the gradual improvement of Thailand's overall economy during the past two years. Meanwhile, GDP growth rate ramped up from 3.3 percent in 2016 to 4.2 percent in 2018, and the increase rate of private investment was positive for three consecutive years.
Thailand has pushed for the investment in five infrastructure projects worth about 650 billion baht, including: the high-speed train project connecting three airports, the U-Tapao International Airport maintenance center project, the development project of U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City, Phase III of Laem Chabang Port project, and Phase III of Maptaphut Port project. It is expected that private investment will pour in, so he planned to propose the issue to the cabinet this April for approval.
Mr. Kanit also mentioned the priority tasks of the next year, namely the third year's five working tasks of EEC. Efforts will be made to accelerate the investment of 500 billion baht in 10 target industries over the next five years. It will generate no less than 450 thousand jobs for Thai youth. The country will also invest more in national defense and education, and facilitate the development of digital infrastructure and IoT and the upgrade of start-ups. Sustained efforts will be made to develop e-commerce to increase the revenue of farmers, technology industry, and tourism.
The country will improve infrastructure for regional development, especially in land use planning, education, research, technology, public sanitation, environment, basic elements, water, energy, and other fields.
It will formulate development planning for special zones, namely technology zones and smart cities. Guided by the planning, efforts will be made to coordinate the development of the EECi and EECd, guide the development of smart cities in Laem Chabang and major islands (Koh Sichang, Koh Chang, and Koh Samui Island), and establish a system to monitor the development of eastern aviation area.
Source: InfoQuest, by Saowalak Ouypron / Tanawat / Sasithorn, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
Notice: No person, organization and/or company shall disseminate or broadcast the above article on Xinhua Silk Road website without prior permission by Xinhua Silk Road.
A single purchase
