According to Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana, one of the key Special Economic Zones, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is crucial in transitioning from the current economic model to Thailand 4.0.
Uttama’s comment was made during the talks on EEC as a tool to boost the Thai economy and better connect the nation to the rest of the world. The minister said the Thailand 4.0 agenda will increase the strength of the nation from the inside.
He also mentioned that the Cabinet has passed the EEC draft act, while adding that the bill will be deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly on September 28th. Once approved, the act will instill stronger confidence among Thai and foreign investors in making investments in the EEC by providing assistance in various respects, such as education and public health.
Meanwhile, Kobsak Pootrakool, the Vice Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, said the EEC Track of the EEC act, which defines requirements, conditions, and procedures for investing in the EEC, will be revealed this week. The move is being accelerated to quickly seek investors for the first four major projects of the zone: the expansion of U-Tapao airport, the construction of a high speed railway project, the development of Laem Chabang seaport, and the establishment of an aviation maintenance center. These developments are expected to commence in the latter half of 2018.
