Thailand's fruit capital likely to be materialized by 2020

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Industry, plans to establish the Eastern Fruit Corridor (EFC) in Rayong Province by 2020 to become a world "fruit capital" in the Thai Kingdom. Permanent Secretary for Industry Pasu Loharjun, in his capacity as chairman of an official committee in charge of driving forward the EFC Project, told journalists on May 6 that his committee resolved at a recent meeting to set up a task force to gather information and conduct a feasibility study on the EFC Project, the work of which is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Pasu stated that his committee will then organize public forums to hear opinions of all stakeholders as part of the ongoing feasibility study on the EFC Project, anticipated to be completed by September 2018, before launching campaigns on inviting business operators to invest in the EFC Project during the last quarter of this year. Pasu said the ongoing steps are in response to the Thai Cabinet's approval in principle on February 6 of the plan on the EFC establishment by his ministry, aimed to not only add more values for Thai fruits throughout the supply chains and boost income for local orchards and related businesses, but also develop the Thai eastern region to become a world fruit capital in the future. The senior official revealed that under the plan, the EFC Project will be located in Rayong's Smart Park, with its development expected to be started by next year, after the ongoing feasibility study is finalized, and its inauguration set by 2020. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) suggested, meanwhile, that results of the ongoing feasibility study be proposed to the Thai Cabinet for further consideration and a decision on a state budget framework to finance the implementation of the EFC Project. (TNA)