THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

IEAT creating over 7,400 jobs as it expedites Map Ta Phut Smart Park project

IEAT creating over 7,400 jobs as it expedites Map Ta Phut Smart Park project

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is accelerating its Smart Park Industrial Estate plan as part of the Map Ta Phut Port Project so it can open for business in 2026, expecting to create more than 7,400 jobs with over Bt1.3 billion circulating in the system per year.

It aims to start reclaiming land in early 2021 and begin construction in 2024, with service commencing in 2026.

After visiting Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and Map Ta Phut Industrial Port with Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, IEAT governor Somchint Pilouk said the Smart Park project focuses on using modern technology and is environmentally friendly. It will be a commercial centre, supporting the growth of marine business services.

Smart Park Industrial Estate has an area of approximately 1,383 rai. On July 10, the National Economic and Social Development Council approved investment in the project and prepared to ask the Cabinet for the go-ahead to commence construction.

The project is expected to generate 7,459 jobs, with roughly Bt1.34 billion circulating in the area per year (based on a minimum salary of Bt15,000 per worker per month).

Initial investment is valued at Bt2.48 billion, divided into the concept design, EIA preparation, and construction costs.

Smart Park Industrial Estate has an advantage in terms of connecting transportation systems – U-Tapao Airport, land routes and high-speed rail.

The Map Ta Phut Industrial Port project is divided into three phases, with phase 1 and 2 having an area of approximately 2,870 rai and phase 3 being 1,000 rai.

The port currently has 12 decks for service – three public and nine specialised berths, handling some 4,258 ships. The volume of cargo as of July 31 was 41.97 million tonnes, a 6.8 per cent drop compared to the same period last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and Map Ta Phut Industrial Port are important production bases for one-fifth of the petrochemical industry in the Asean region.

There are five industrial estate complexes – Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, WHA Eastern Industrial Estate, Asia Industrial Estate, RIL Industrial Estate, Padaeng Industrial Estate – and Map Ta Phut Industrial Port, with 151 factories employing 30,000 workers. The investment value of Bt1 trillion supports the petrochemical, gas and chemical sectors, as well as power plants, refineries,steel and other industries.

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