Private firms welcomed to join Thai government's mega projects

BANGKOK, October 1 (TNA) - As the Thai government welcomes private business operators to join its mega infrastructure development projects, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Committee now has a strategic plan to support the government's mega projects in the future. Prasong Poontaneat, Director-General of the State Enterprise Policy Office, told journalists on Tuesday that the PPP Committee has worked out the strategic plan, in which there are guidelines for the project implementation of Thai government agencies. Prasong said that the strategic plan, set to be proposed to the Cabinet for further consideration later this month, covers all areas of investment projects of the Thai government, including high-speed and 10 electric rail systems in Bangkok and adjacent provinces. According to the senior official, instructions to ensure effective investment, as well as requirements for public hearings, the establishment of selection and supervision committees, feasibility studies of projects and criteria for the disqualification of business operators which do not deserve to participate in state projects to ensure transparency are also included in the strategic plan. Somchai Siriwatanachoke, newly appointed Permanent Secretary for Transport, acknowledged that he will try to speed up the implementation of 2.2-trillion-baht new mega-infrastructure development projects, as many of them are ready for kickoffs. The Thai Ministry of Finance plans to borrow the sum to fund the mega-projects. (TNA)