Cabinet endorses EEC strategies

BANGKOK, July 19 (TNA) -- The cabinet approved strategies for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), focusing on the production of engineers and vocational workers to support targeted industries that are enjoying government promotion. Kobsak Pootrakook, vice minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, said that under the approved strategies, 619.4 million baht would be spent to produce personnel for the EEC in the next five years. The Education Ministry was ordered to supervise the human resource production. Teachers and other educational personnel would improve their skills and knowledge under the strategies. Special training courses for educational personnel would focus on technologies, innovations and special skills, Mr Kobsak said. The government expects about 194,600 graduates in the desired fields in the next five years. There will be a center to coordinate the production of vocational workers. The government would spend 55 million baht on curricula improvement, 55 million baht on the development of schools and digital colleges, 43 million baht on the production of teachers, and 100 million baht on an Industrial 4.0 center and a Central Lab, Mr Kobsak said. The EEC covers the eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong. Its development involves 173 projects worth 712.64 billion baht concerning potential industries, transport, logistics, urbanization, public utilities, environment improvement, tourism and management. (TNA)