Thai government woos China to EEC

BANGKOK, Aug 24 -- (TNA) - The government is wooing Chinese investors to join the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to promote Thailand’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak sent the message to about 600 Chinese investors in the Thailand-China Business Forum 2018. The forum addressed “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the EEC”. He said Thailand was a promising location for Chinese investors as it was developing the EEC. Besides, it stood as the center of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy(ACMECS) and China was investing in the neighboring countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), he said. Thailand made good progress in the EEC development over the past two years as applications were filed for promotional privileges for 822 projects worth 700 billion baht there, Mr Somkid said. In response, Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong said China was keen to expand trade and investments in Thailand as both countries signed a cooperation agreement related to BRI. He also encouraged Thai investors to go to China which already introduced promotional privileges for foreign investors. (TNA)