Government pushes for 4 big projects in EEC

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (TNA) -- The government is pushing for four large-scaled projects worth 400 billion baht in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), expecting their bidding contests early next year. Kobsak Pootrakul, vice minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, said regulations on public-private partnership in the EEC were approved and would be published in the Royal Gazette next week. Terms of Reference (TOR) for the four projects of the EEC would be drafted late this year. Their bidding contests would take place early next year and contractors would be selected in 3-4 following months, he said. The four projects consist of the commercial development of U-Tapao airport that will have an aircraft maintenance centre and a school for aircraft mechanics worth 160 billion baht, a high-speed railway worth 180 billion baht to link U-Tapao, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, the expansion of the Map Ta Phut port and the development of the Laem Chabang port. Investment in the ports is estimated at 60-80 billion baht. Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said a bill on the EEC would reach the National Legislative Assembly on September 28 and its passage would boost investors’ confidence. (TNA)