Thailand still attractive to foreign investors
By English News



BANGKOK, Oct 16 – Foreign investors have applied for promotional privileges in 1,431 projects with a combined investment value of Bt737.8 billion in the first three quarters of the year, according to the Board of Investment (BoI).

Udom Wongviwatchai, BoI secretary general, said the projects were down by 6.3 per cent from 1,528 projects in the same period of last year but the investment value was slightly higher by 0.7 per cent. The value of investments in January-September last year was Bt732 billion.

The seven highest industries seeking promotional privileges were service and public utility; steel products, machinery and transport equipment; agriculture and agricultural produce; electronics and electrical appliances; chemical, paper and plastic group; mining, ceramic and steel; and light industry.

He said the BoI should reach its targeted promotional privileges at Bt1 trillion for this year, while Japan provided the largest group of foreign investors applying for investment privileges in Thailand.

Investment values from Malaysia and China have increased this year despite the global economic downturn, he said.

Mr Udom said major projects with an investment value higher than Bt1 billion were granted promotional privileges in the first nine months of this year, mainly automobiles, machinery and parts, air transport, tyres for trucks and other vehicles, diesel engines and parts, and logistics parks. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-10-16

They'd probably see this skyrocket if they got rid of the protectionist FDI rules relating to foreign ownership.

Just so long as you like rice.

I think Q4 2013/ Q1 2014 might show a different story given the current handling of the floods. Everyday I am having to give updates to Japanese customers concerned that their supply will be disrupted. Confidence is plummeting.