MoU signed for Tak SEZ under PPP scheme
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THE FAST-TRACK measures for public-private partnerships (PPPs) approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday to speed up implementation of infrastructure mega-projects will help reduce dependence on state budgets and ease the country's public debt burden, Ekniti Nit
Under the PPP programme to help develop the special economic zone in Tak’s Mae Sot district, the International Trade Promotion Department yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Saha Pathana Inter-Holding (SPI) and PPT Global Chemical (PTTGC) to develop infrastructure, utilities, and the logistics and transport system.
This collaboration of PTTGC and SPI will also support the development of plastic products at a plant in the SEZ, which will lead to new innovation, while help saving the environment, according to the government.
The department will help enterprises to conduct marketing and distribution of their plastic products arising from this cooperation to penetrate overseas markets.
Ekniti said the PPP fast-track programme would cover eight projects next year worth Bt347 billion.
They are the Khae Rai-Min Buri stretch of the MRT Pink Line, the Lat Phrao-Samrong section of the Yellow Line, the Bang Sue-Ta Phra extension of the Blue Line, two waste-treatment plants in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, a Maritime Business Centre, and maintenance of the Bang Pa-in/Nakhon Ratchasima and Bang Yai/Kanchanaburi motorways.
Joint effort
All government agencies involved in these projects will work together to prepare them for the private sector’s participation.
According to the PPP fast-track process, ministries overseeing these projects will seek endorsement from NEPO SEPO and the National Economic and Social Development Board before seeking final approval from the Cabinet.
The streamlined process is expected to encourage more participation by the private sector, which will enter contracts with the government to invest and manage these projects. The process used to take too long, up to two years, so the PPP policy was unsuccessful, Ekniti said.
Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong said the PPP programme was now defined more clearly and SEPO would be responsible for drafting PPP project guidelines to boost private-sector confidence in the scheme.
According to the fast-track programme, the timeline for project preparation, ministerial approval, PPP Committee consideration, drafting of the invitations for the private sector to invest, bid selection and approval will be shortened to a maximum of nine months from up to 25 months.
The shortened timeline is applicable to projects that have already completed feasibility studies and environmental-impact assessments.
