Imagine a world where economy and ecology walk hand-in-hand, envisioning a future that’s greener, cleaner, and decidedly more sustainable—it’s not just a distant utopia! On a balmy Thursday in the bustling heart of Bangkok, the Board of Investment’s (BOI) own visionary Narit Therdsteerasukdi captivated audiences at the “Go Thailand: Green Economy-Land Bridge” forum with an inspiring glimpse into this reality. Narit, the BOI secretary-general, illuminated the path Thailand is taking, aligning with the global trend of sustainable business practices which is taking the business world by storm!
According to Narit, Thailand’s future prosperity is rooted in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model. It’s a hot trend that is catching on globally as businesses recognize the importance of incorporating eco-friendly strategies into their operations. As Narit intricately detailed, the BOI’s international roadshows have uncovered a striking reality: that foreign investors are making a beeline for initiatives that slash greenhouse gasses and champion the use of clean energy.
“Picture this,” Narit enthused, “an investment landscape over the next half a decade that’s sculpted by forces as varied and powerful as climate change, geopolitical showdowns, ground-breaking tech, shifting population dynamics, and even the ripple effects of tax policy tweaks in response to Mother Nature’s changing moods.”
In a move that’s set to revitalize Thailand’s economic clout, the BOI aims to step up BCG investments from a hearty 21% to a robust 24% by 2027. The result could be a seismic shift in Thailand’s gross domestic product—rocketing from 3.4 to an astronomical 4.4 trillion baht (what’s that in dollars? A cool US$ 127 billion)! Ready to be a BCG hub of Asean? Thailand says an emphatic “Yes!”
And there’s more under the hood! Narit unveiled that seven Japanese auto legends are gearing up to turbocharge Thailand’s economy over the next five years with a jaw-dropping combined investment of 150 billion baht (a breathtaking US$4.33 billion). We’re talking an EV revolution led by mighty names like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Isuzu, Suzuki, Nissan, and Mazda. Talk about a power drive!
These seven titans of the automobile industry were part of an elite group that had an exclusive parley with none other than Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin—toasting to the Japan-Asean 50th Anniversary Summit whilst in Tokyo. The high-level business convos took place at the Thailand-Japan Investment Forum, and over 500 Japanese business heavyweights were there, right in the thick of the action!
But let’s not steer away from the fact that not all heroes at the investment roundtable wear automotive badges! Enter Panasonic, Kubota, and Mitsui, three colossal firms with eyes for the BCG prize. They’re revving up to delve into fields that are as varied as they are vital: think cutting-edge battery production, next-gen agricultural machinery, and even sustainable aviation fuel that could well make flying greener than ever before.
The mood at the forum was nothing short of electric. As Narit’s words underscored Thailand’s audacious stride towards a future where innovation, investment, and environmental responsibility coalesce, there was no doubt left in that Bangkok hall—Thailand’s green economic engine is just warming up, promising to deliver a ride into the future that’s as prosperous as it is planet-friendly.
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