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Published on February 23, 2008

The feasibility study for the Southern Seaboard, the country's second industrial belt, is due to be completed this year in a bid to support the mega-investment projects of the petrochemical and upstream steel industries.

"The Southern Seaboard is our urgent issue. If the study indicates that the target area is inappropriate for industrial development, we will need to accelerate studying other areas to ensure continued expansion in the industrial sector," Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti said yesterday.

The National Economic and Social Development Board has studied the possibility of developing the eastern coast in the South following the glut in the Eastern Seaboard, which straddles Rayong, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao.

The study is being conducted with four giant steel-makers interested in establishing blast furnaces there and leading petrochemical firms such as PTT and Siam Cement Group.

Executives from Tata Group, one of the world's largest conglomerates, met Suwit at the Industry Ministry and told him that they would keep on investing in this country, particularly in steel, automobiles and software.

"The group also aims to develop our human resources, which will support the rising demand for high-calibre workers in the future," he said.

BoI secretary-general Satit Charnjavanakul said about 10 projects worth Bt40 billion-Bt50 billion were waiting for tax incentives. Most of them are eco-car and petrochemical projects.

Since Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has yet to appoint the BoI chairman, those projects are expected to be approved next month.

The plan to promote "Investment Year 2007-2008" will focus on four sectors, Satit said.

First, it will continue supporting high-potential industries such as auto parts, eco-cars and hard-disk drives.

Second, it will encourage new industries that will add value to the country and become more necessary in the future, for example, biotechnology, biodegradable plastic, electronics and alternative energy.

Third, it will concentrate on the industries that will be located in the Southern Seaboard such as steel, petrochemical, alternative energy, tourism and food.

Last, it will strongly push for projects that boost collaboration with educational institutions in research and development.

The Nation