Projects seeking investment promotions drop in value

BANGKOK, July 16 (TNA) – The number of projects applying for investment promotions in the first half of this year dropped in value by around 7 per cent to Bt183.7 billion from Bt197.2 billion in the corresponding period last year, according to Industry Minister Chanchai Chairungruang.

Speaking after attending a meeting of the Board of Investment, he said 465 investment projects sought the Board of Investment’s promotional privileges in that period.

The service and public utilities sector is the top industry that drew most investment promotion applications, followed by agriculture and farm output, metal, machinery and transport equipment.

Foreign investment value in the first half of this year totalled Bt49.98 billion.

Japanese businesses retained their leading position as the major investors applying for investment promotions with a value of Bt20.75 billion in parts production and equipment used in the electronics industry.

Coming second, third and fourth are Europe, the United States and Singapore. (TNA)