Authority promotes SEZ in Thai East

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - The Ministry of Industry says it is seriously developing a special economic zone (SEZ) in Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province, bordering Cambodia and targeted to become a gateway to Indochina. Industry Minister Atchaka Sribunrang announced the policy at a business seminar on investment promotions for the Sa Kaeo SEZ, held in Bangkok on June 2. Atchaka noted that Sa Kaeo is among six border Thai provinces where the government is developing SEZs, pointing out that for Sa Kaeo alone, the province has potential for cargo transport to Indochina and SEZ in the province covers a 207,500 rai-area in Aranyaprathet and Watthana Nakhon Districts (2.5 rais = 1 acre). According to the industry minister, the government expects both Thai and foreign investors to invest at least 5 billion baht in the Sa Kaeo SEZ within next year, cushioned by tax and non-tax promotional privileges offered by her ministry's Board of Investment of Thailand (BOT). The minister acknowledged that total trade value in Sa Kaeo amounted to 82 billion baht last year. Echoing the minister's remarks, Sa Kaeo Governor Pakaratorn Tianchai revealed that Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet District alone has posted the highest value of border trade with Cambodia and his province is only 250-260 kilometres from the Laem Chabang Deep Seaport in the Thai East and Bangkok. Besides, new road and railway projects, as well as other infrastructure development plans are underway to promote the Sa Kaeo SEZ. (TNA)