Projects seeking BoI promotion rise in volume and value

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) – The number of projects seeking investment promotions in the first five months of this year reached 507 with an investment value of Bt 172.6 billion, according to the Board of Investment (BoI).

Secretary-General Atchaka Sribunrueng said the investment projects initiated by domestic and foreign companies and applying for promotions in the period increased by 47.8 per cent in volume and 7.3 per cent in value from the same period the year before.

In May alone, the number of projects applying for investment promotions totaled 107, the highest in the first five months, with a total value of Bt39.7 billion, showing that both domestic and foreign investors remained confident in Thailand’s growth potential.

Industries that sought investment promotions most include services and public utilities with 139 projects valued at Bt81 billion, production of metal, machinery, and vehicles and parts with 105 projects at Bt21.9 billion, and agricultural businesses and output with 84 projects at Bt18.3 billion.

She said the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects seeking promotions in the first five months reached 306 with a listed value of Bt86.28 billion, up 35 per cent in volume and 108 per cent in value from the same period last year.

Industries that are of greatest interest to investors most include metal, ceramics, and mining with a total investment value of Bt24.56 billion, metal products, machinery, and transport equipment at Bt18.94 billion, services and public utilities at Bt13.17 billion, respectively.

Foreign investors investing most in Thailand remain Japanese with 120 projects valued at Bt33.04 billion; Singapore, 32 projects at Bt 7.69 billion; Japan, 12 projects at Bt 6.47 billion; Hong Kong, 11 projects at Bt2.69 billion; Australia, nine projects at Bt2.09 billion, and Germany, 14 projects at Bt1.46 billion. (TNA)