NXPO Vice President Asst. Prof. Dr. Poolsak Koseeyaporn joined the Board of Investment (BOI) in introducing new investment promotion measures in the Northeastern Economic Corridor (NeEC) at New Economy, New Opportunity Seminar held on 15 June 2023 in Nakhon Ratchasima. The seminar was attended by more than 250 participants representing government agencies, companies, universities, research institutes and journalists in Thailand’s northeastern region.

In his opening remarks and keynote address, BOI Secretary General Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi said that the object of the seminar is to introduce Thailand’s 5-year investment promotion strategy (from 2023 to 2027) and new investment promotion measures catered to enterprises in the northeastern region. The northeastern region occupies about one-third of Thailand’s total area and therefore is a key producer of economic crops such as cassava, sugarcane and rice. Moreover, the region is bordered by two countries, namely Laos and Cambodia, bolstering its strong potential to attract investment particularly in the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG).

Details of 5-year investment promotion strategy and investment promotion measures for the NeEC were presented by BOI Senior Executive Advisor Mr. Narucha Ruchuphan. The new investment promotion measures cover target industries, smart and sustainable industry, SMEs, and community and social development activities.

NXPO Vice President, along with representatives from The Federation of Thai Industries Nakhon Ratchasima Chapter, Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, and the Lower Northeastern Science Park, joined a panel discussion on new economy in the northeastern region. Dr. Poolsak presented the national strategy on high-skilled manpower development which will serve as a key to draw the investment and develop the new economy in NeEC. He also gave examples of success cases of coupling education with the social and economic development. 

With the new investment promotion measures, industries in the NeEC will be encouraged to engage in manpower development and research and innovation through industrial clusters that link upstream production, i.e. farm products, to downstream processes to create high-value finished products, resulting in a comprehensive biobased industry established in the northeastern region and turning this region into a BCG hub of ASEAN.