Thailand to open new industrial estate in Northeast by 2020

BANGKOK, February 12 (TNA) - Thailand plans to open a new industrial estate in the northeastern Nong Khai Province by 2020 to support the country's border economic development and connectivity with neighboring countries. The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), under the Thai Ministry of Industry, and Naka Clean Power Co. signed a contract on Thursday to construct the Nong Khai Industrial Estate, set to be completed over the next five years. IEAT Govenor Verapong Chaiperm told journalists that under the contract, IEAT and Naka Clean Power Co. will jointly construct the new industrial estate to support Thailand's industrial growth and the government's policy on opening more industrial estates. Verapong noted that the Nong Khai Industrial Estate is located on a 2,960-rai plot of land in Phon Sawang area of Nong Khai's Muang District, near the Udon Thani Airport and facilitated by infrastructure to support its operations and connectivity with other regions. Verapong projected that the new industrial estate is expected to attract investment worth at least 97 billion baht and create at least 22,000 new jobs. According to the IEAT governor, target industries at the Nong Khai Industrial Estate include farm product processing, food, beverage, electronic components, electrical appliances, auto parts and logistics. The IEAT governor expressed his hope that the new industrial estate should boost Nong Khai's industrial and investment roles, after it is opened by 2020. (TNA)