PTT links up with NSTDA on Bt2 bn innovation project
ENERGY giant PTT has joined with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to set up what the partners are promoting as an Asean innovation hub.
The project, called EECi@Wangchan Valley, will be set up with investment of more than Bt2 billion on a site of more than 1,960 rai.
Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee said the project name stands for Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation and references the location in the Wangchan district of Rayong province.
The innovation hub will be developed as an initiative under the government’s Thailand 4.0 vision to boost the uptake of technology in the country.
Work on the project will start next year and the government has set aside a budget of more than Bt1.5 billion to support it.
The innovation hub will include a research and development centre that will underpin the ambitions driving the project.
The hub will focus on so-called smart agriculture and biotechnology, energy and chemicals, medical devices, batteries and automation and smart electronics as well as the aviation industry.
“The innovation hub will develop infrastructure and create innovation and a S&T (science and technology) ecosystem that will see researchers, experts and business people invited to participate in the hub in order to transfer research and development from the shelf to support the commercial and industrial sectors and customers as a whole,” the minister said.
The EECi will connect with the Eastern Economic Corridor to support the Thailand 4.0 scheme to boost the competitiveness of the country.”
Tevin Vongvanich, chief executive of PTT, said the first phrase would cover five years under the master plan.
The project would start next year with the development of an area of 760-rai, which will be divided into two main areas including the area under the responsibility of the NSTDA.
The remaining area falls under PTT’s responsibility, said Tevin, adding that the company would lay down infrastructure to support smart living under a smart city vision.
PTT expects that the first phrase will be opened within five years.
The energy company expects to spend more than Bt1 billion to support the development of the first phase.
Narong Sirilertworakul, president of the NSTDA, said that under the collaboration, the agency will gather domestic and international researchers to share their know-how at the innovation hub.
Narong said it would the project would be an “open innovation |centre” and would also serve as a “sandbox” for the testing of pilot|projects.
Narong said the agency was also setting up two innovation cities: Biopolis and Aripolis. Biopolis will develop biochemical, biomaterial and bio products. Aripolis will develop and promote new innovation and technologies covering medical devices, batteries and transport, along with automation, robotics and electronics.
