The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) announced that the combined value of foreign and local applications for investment promotion in 2021 totaled 642.7 billion baht (ca. US$19.5 billion), an increase of 59%, boosted mainly by foreign direct investments (FDI) in tech sectors and a continued increase in the value and number of projects in Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) industries, as well as the continued buildup of the power generation sector.
“Investment applications in BCG activities are continuously increasing as investors take advantage of the promotion measures that we have issued to help Thailand’s economy and companies operating here to prepare for the changing consumer demand and supply chains in the post-Covid-19 world,” BOI Secretary General Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit told reporters.
As for FDI, we are seeing constant growth in foreign investments in target sectors such as smart electronics, specialty chemicals, bioplastics and the medical cluster.
BOI Secretary General Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit
Electrics and electronics top the list
Electrics and electronics once again topped the list of target sectors which attracted the most applications with 104.5 billion baht in value, reflecting the soaring demand for electronics devices and parts, followed by the medical sector with 62.2 billion baht, petrochemicals and chemicals with 48.4 billion baht, agriculture and food processing with 47.7 billion baht, and automotive and parts with 24.6 billion baht.
Japan remains first country source
Japan once again topped the list of FDI source countries with a combined investment value of 80.7 billion baht for 178 projects, followed by China with 38.6 billion baht in investment pledges for 112 projects, and Singapore with 29.7 billion baht for 96 projects.
The top three sectors for FDI applications were electrics and electronics, petrochemicals and chemicals, and the medical cluster.
In terms of regions, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand’s prime industrial area comprising Chonburi, Chachoengsao, and Rayong, attracted the most applications with 220.5 billion baht, an increase of 34% from 2020.
Additional Measures to Support Bio-Hub
Additional measures aimed at supporting the bioeconomy include two new businesses to be incorporated in the BOI list of activities eligible for incentives: namely “Digital Trading Platform for Agricultural Products” and “Agri-Food Industrial Estates/Parks”.
Both new activities will be eligible for tax benefits for 5 years.
The approved package also includes improved benefits and conditions for businesses involved in the production of extracts from natural raw materials and products using those extracts.
○ BOI : The Board of Investment of Thailand
About the author
The Office of the Board of Investment is a government agency under the Office of the Prime Minister. Its core roles and responsibilities are to promote valuable investment, both investment into Thailand and Thai overseas investment.
