Higher growth in Thai exports and many investors interested in EEC
Thai exports in May 2017 expanded by 13.2% over the same period last year. The figure represents the highest recorded growth in 52 months.
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Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his satisfaction with a report on the higher growth in Thai exports. He also received a report stating that the number of foreign investors that have shown interest in investing in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is beyond expectations.
The Prime Minister said that export growth was seen in both agricultural and industrial products, such as natural rubber, sugar, vegetables and fruits, frozen and processed chicken, rubber products, automobiles and automotive parts, electric-circuit boards, and computers and parts.
He said that the continued expansion of the global economy has contributed to Thai export growth. Statistics show that Thai exports to the United States and Vietnam recorded significant growth. Exports to the Middle East also continued to grow steadily.
The Prime Minister hailed relevant government officials and members of the private sector for their great efforts to adjust in order to respond effectively to the changing global demand. He urged them to accelerate the promotion of the grassroots economy, along with export promotion to create a balance between the two sectors.
Concerning investment in the EEC, the Prime Minister said that the 10 target industries attracted many investors, especially those from the United States and Japan. The target industries include automotive, electronics, affluent medical and wellness tourism, agriculture and biotechnology, food processing, robotics, aviation and logistics, biofuels and biochemicals, the digital industry, and the medical hub.
He said that all interested foreign investors believed that the EEC would link to markets in ASEAN and other parts of the world. Investment projects to be carried out next year include the development of U-Tapao International Airport, Thai Airways International’s aircraft repair center, the Bangkok-Rayong high-speed railway project, Map Ta Phut and Laem Chabang ports, the Digital Park, and a production base for electric vehicles and medical equipment.
The Government expects that in the next five years, at least 500 billion baht will be invested in the ECC, which comprises Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chachoengsao provinces.
