BANGKOK (March 1): Thailand expects investment to triple to at least US$10 billion in the country’s industrial east this year as investment projects previously held by the coronavirus outbreak get pushed forward again as the pandemic eases, an official said on Monday.
Actual investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) could be at least 300 billion baht (US$10 billion) this year, up from 96 billion baht in 2020, or 46% of total project applications, EEC head Kanit Sangsubhan told a briefing.
“As investors didn’t invest last year, they would have to do it this year. There will be a bunch of projects held up from previous years,” he said.
The EEC straddles eastern provinces and is a centrepiece of government efforts to boost growth and encourage investment, particularly in high-tech industries. Investors are allowed to rent land for up to 99 years.
In a separate briefing,…
