Many countries eye to invest in "Thailand Future Fund"

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - Many countries, including China, Oman and Iran, have expressed their interest in the "Thailand Future Fund", which will be established by the Thai government in mid-2016 with its initial fund of 100 billion baht. Permanent Secretary for Finance Somchai Sujjapongse told journalists of the positive prospect on Thursday, noting that recent roadshows by Thai finance authorities in China, Oman and Iran found that large-scaled investors and the management of wealth funds in the countries were keen to invest in the newly-introduced "Thailand Future Fund". Somchai said he was informed that teams of investment funds from China and Oman would soon arrive in Bangkok to study the terms and conditions of the "Thailand Future Fund", which has become attractive, for instance, among international insurance firms, the Social Security Fund (SSF) and the Government Pension Fund (GPF) because it guarantees returns and allows international investors to invest in both old and new projects in Thailand. Regarding its high demand among potential international investors, the senior official pointed out that the originally-planned amount of the fund could be expanded from 100 billion baht right away to relieve the Thai government's burden on infrastructure investment and to help boost the national economic growth. Meanwhile, Thai Vice Minister for Finance Kiatchai Sophastienphong acknowledged that the Thai government is speeding up its investment and the attempt should have clearly positive impacts on the Thai economy in the second half of this year. (TNA)