Foreign firms inject B73.6bn
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Foreign firms inject B73.6bn

Thailand has attracted more than 73 billion baht in foreign investment during the first seven months of the year, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.

Citing Commerce Ministry data, Mr Anucha said Thailand permitted 323 foreign investors to set up businesses from January to July.

Most came from Japan, followed by Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and China. They invested 73.63 billion baht, up 28.9 billion baht on-year.

Mr Anucha said the arrival of foreign investors has created jobs for more than 3,308 Thais.

Investors in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) account for 18% of all investment this year, with over 30 billion baht injected into the project so far.

"The government has prepared a policy to set the direction for relevant agencies to develop the country as an investment hub of the region," Mr Anucha said. "It also expedited the revamp of infrastructure systems including transportation, utilities and regulations to attract foreign investors and benefit all Thais."

Meanwhile, a foreign worker management policies committee is preparing to propose that the cabinet consider extending the operation of Certificate of Identity (CI) Centers in Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Ranong and Chon Buri until February.

The centres were set up to resolve issues around the expiration of foreign passports as people were unable to return home to renew them during the pandemic.

Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, chairman of the committee, said the committee has revised ministerial regulations to attract more investors and labourers to spur the economy by offering a long-term resident visa for five years that can be renewed for up to 10 years.

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