BoI backs 7-yr plan favouring innovative technology
The Board of Investment (BoI) has approved in principle the seven-year (2015-2021) master plan for its new investment policy to focus on innovative technology to support a digital economy.
It will be effective on January 1.
The master plan also focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises, one of the business sectors for which the board has to provide more details on the new investment policy, according to BoI acting secretary-general Hiranya Sujinai.
Bt79-bn investment
Meanwhile yesterday, the BoI’s directors also approved 23 new projects worth Bt79.21 billion.
These included Bt34 billion worth of investment in the second phase of the eco-car programme by Suzuki, Honda, Toyota, and MG Motor.
The rest was for alternative-energy businesses such as wind power and electricity generation from agricultural waste.
Last month, the BoI approved Bt52.64 billion worth of investment in the second phase of the eco-car programme for six firms.
Ten automobile companies have sought investment approval from the BoI for their eco-car Phase 2 projects.
The companies that were approved earlier are Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Auto Alliance (Mazda).
Also yesterday, the Cabinet assigned the BoI to set up a one-stop service for International Headquarters and International Trading Centres that will be set up to replace the current Regional Operating Headquarters scheme.
If the Finance Ministry approves the new incentives for IHQs and ITCs, the two new instruments could be set up as soon as February.
