Foreign direct investment in Thailand next year will be better than this year because of the improving global economy and signs of the stalemate over the Map Ta Phut projects ending, according to the Board of Investment.
BOI secretary-general Atchaka Sibunruang said yesterday that the global economy had picked up.
Over this week, the Cabinet also approved a list of just 11 activities deemed to have a serious impact on health, quality of life and the local surroundings.
But she warned that the foreign-exchange situation could be a risk to drawing foreign direct investment next year.
In 2011, the BOI will continue its roadshow strategy to woo foreign investors, especially from Japan and China.
It will also increase tax privileges for investment in the health business.
She said Thailand ranked fourth among countries that Japanese investors want to invest in, after China, India and Vietnam.
She added that the value of the investment applications this year would top Bt500 billion as targeted.
Industry Minister Chaiwuti Bannawat said the BOI was also focused on promoting the harmonious co-existence between industry and local communities to ensure sustainable industrial development. He made the remarks at a seminar on sustainable development organised by the BOI.
He said the communities still lacked trust in state agencies and industrial factories, so the ministry would have to work closely with the relevant agencies to restore confidence in them.