Thailand ranked the world's 8th most attractive investment country

BANGKOK, March 14 (TNA) - Thailand has been latest ranked the world's 8th most attractive investment country by U.S. News & World Report, a leading American media company, a major factor that is anticipated to considerably boost new investment projects in the Thai economy in the coming months. Thai Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana told the update and the consequent promising prospect of the domestic investment at a seminar on "Go Thailand", organized by the Thansettakij Newspaper, a wellknown Thai media firm, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on Wednesday. Uttama said that apart from the latest ranking at the world's 8th place out of a total of 20 countries surveyed by U.S. News & World Report, it is expected that the growing Thai economy and exports, at 4 per cent year-on-year and 9.7 per cent year-on-year in 2017, should also stimulate the domestic investment in the coming months, as the highest export growth in six years and the expanding national economy reflect Thailand's readiness to welcome new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects. The industry minister noted, however, that "new engines" are needed to further drive ahead the Thai economy, including the government's 20 year-national development strategy under its Thailand 4.0 Policy, in which advanced technologies and more innovations are to be adopted and produced, together with the production of more skillful personnel for innovative businesses in the country and the development of the local economy, where more value-added products will be introduced. Besides, the minister revealed that measures on providing financial and technological support for Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups will be implemented by the government to drive forward the national economic growth eventually. The industry minister admitted that economic disparity remains in Thailand and needs a sustainable solution through government measures, namely the ongoing public welfare program for low income earners in the country. (TNA)