Bangkok (VNA) – Investments to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) inThailand expanded 15.85 percent to 195.69 billion baht (6.4 billion USD),according to the Ministry of Industry’s Department of Industrial Works (DIW).

The Thai government targets a 20 percent growth in investment attraction in theEEC, or 430 billion baht in total capital this year, thanks to various policiesto improve foreign investors’ confidence.

DIW director-general Thongchai Chawalitpichaet attributed the increase ininvestment to rational policies popularising 10 prioritised industries of theEEC of automotive, electronics, petrochemical, agriculture and food, tourism,automation and robotics, aerospace, digital, biotechnology, and medical andhealthcare.

Investment until the end of this year will be higher than the first half as thenewly-established Government is expected to promote investors’ trust, he added.

The EEC is the most important investment initiative of Thailand. Stretching theeastern provinces of Rayong, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao, it is developed totransform the localities into technology and manufacturing hubs which areconnected to ASEAN countries via roads and sea and air routes by 2021.

Five large projects in EEC development plant include construction of a 225billion baht highway linking three airports of Don Mueang (in Bangkok),Suvarnabhumi (Samut Prakan province), and U-Tapao (Rayong province), 290billion baht U-Tapao aviation city, 10.6 billion baht maintenance centre, thirdphase of Laem Chabang port, and third phase of Map Ta Phut port.-VNA