Thailand sets new criteria to woo train, EV manufacturers

By The Nation

 

Industry Minister Suriya Juanroongruangkit speaks at a seminar on EEC investment held by Krungthep Thurakij newspaper on Monday. (Nation Photo by Supakit Khumkun)

 

The Industry and Transport ministries are working to draw up conditions and criteria to woo train and electric vehicle manufacturers to base themselves in Thailand, Industry Minister Suriya Juanroongruangkit said on Monday.

 

He was speaking at a seminar on investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) held by Krungthep Turakij newspaper.

 

A committee tasked with steering the national electric vehicle development policy, meanwhile, has come up with a roadmap that will bring the production of electric vehicles to 30 per cent of total auto-manufacturing in the country by 2030.

 

He said the Industry Ministry has ensured all industrial estates have comprehensive infrastructure to cater to foreign investors.

 

Suriya added that though Thailand has been suffering from the adverse impact of trade wars and the Covid-19 pandemic, the country can still capitalise on its geographical advantage and effective handling of the outbreak.

 

The EEC will also serve as a key engine to drive economic growth, he added.

 

The much-touted economic corridor has made great progress in the development of mega infrastructure, including the ongoing project of a high-speed railway linking the three international airports as well as the expansion of the Map Ta Phut deep sea port to serve the expansion of petrochemical business.

 

The ministry has also been working closely with the Board of Investment (BoI) to draw investors to the new S-curve industries in the EEC, which covers Rayong, Chachoengsao and Chonburi provinces.

 

From January to August, 277 projects worth Bt106.3 have applied for investment, 51 per cent of which will be based in the EEC.

 

He said his ministry will continue pushing for further development of the S-curve segment.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30396798

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-10-26

 

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It looks like an advertisement more than a news story.    The EEC is over touted and has a less than compelling website for being the economic growth engine of Thailand. 

 

When Ford and the Japanese take making electric care more seriously,  it will happen, but their focus is China.   China is hugely electric and is the world's largest car market.   Thailand will only become of mild interest once the China market matures, like he said in 2030.   

 

Trains?   Why?  

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Industry and Transport ministries are working to draw up conditions and criteria to woo train and electric vehicle manufacturers to base themselves in Thailand, Industry Minister Suriya Juanroongruangkit said on Monday.

Buy 4 condos worth 10 million each you can have a work permit & contract

Why would investors want to work with this archaic government and regulations, unstable and unpredictable rule and laws, and distain for following through on international agreements by using retroactive legislation?

On 10/27/2020 at 7:56 AM, yellowboat said:

 

Trains?   Why?  

Exactly. You need a nationwide net work of railways to support your own train making industry. Thailand basically has about 5 main lines........