BoI secretary-general Mrs Hirunya Suchinai said that the 17 projects would utilize local raw materials estimated to worth 28.8 billion baht annually.
The approved projects include CPF’s four animal feed and silo projects in Roi-et, Chiang Rai, Samut Prakan and Prachin Buri. Intech Feed’s animal feed project in Samut Sakhon, Betagro’s animal feed project in Songkhla, Panel Plus MDF’s fiberboard project in Songkhla, Toto’s sanitary ware project in Saraburi and Ford Motors’ pick-up truck project in Rayong.
Japanese businesses are still confident of making investments in Thailand as it is anticipated that Thailand will play a very prominent role in the Southeast Asia region once the ASEAN Economic Community takes shape, according to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.
Representatives of Japanese businesses met Minister of Commerce Apiradi Tantraporn on Wednesday to discuss trade and investment in Thailand. Akira Murakoshi, the chamber of commerce’s president, said after the meeting that the number of members at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce continued to rise, which implied that Japanese businessmen were still confident in making investment in Thailand.
He suggested that Thailand rapidly make preparations to take advantage of the ASEAN Economic Community integration, as the country is slated to have a prominent role in the region after the AEC is formed. He also suggested that ASEAN member countries develop standardized goods inspection points to allow transportation of the goods to proceed more swiftly. Mr. Akira said Japanese businesses were willing to help develop the skills of Thai workers in fields where shortage of manpower remained.
