PM to invite European investors to EEC

BANGKOK, June 6 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and executives of the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor will visit Europe to invite investors there to join Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor project. Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said Gen Prayut would lead executives of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee, the Board of Investment and the Industry Ministry to visit Britain and France late this month to present information about the EEC. A law on the EEC was imposed and the government planned to offer promotional privileges to investment projects worth at least 300 billion baht in targeted industries in the EEC this year, he said. Many foreign investors were interested in bioindustry, automotive manufacturing, the production of electric vehicles and parts, pharmacy and aircraft maintenance in the EEC, Mr Uttama said. “The roadshow is intended to tell foreign investors what the EEC is. Besides, it is expected to enhance cooperation after Thai Airways International signed an agreement with Airbus in December 2017 to build an aircraft maintenance centre at U-Tapao airport,” the industry minister said. “The delegation will raise confidence among investors after the government prepared terms for the bidding contest of a high-speed railway project to link three airports. The government will confirm with foreign investors that it is seriously investing and its mega infrastructure projects will be realized as planned,” Mr Uttama said. Nine foreign investors were interested in joint investment in a smart city project in the EEC. The Smart City would have convenient and fast transport systems and thus be free of traffic congestion, the minister said. (TNA)