FDI in Thailand for first 7 months drops 20% year on year

1 Oct 11:06 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand experienced a 20% year-on-year decline in pledged foreign direct investment (FDI) to 58.9 billion baht during the first seven months, despite a 17% increase in the number of foreign investors.
Japan emerged as the top investor, pledging 19.8 billion baht from 84 investors, with Singapore (12.9 billion baht), China (11.6 billion baht), the US (3 billion baht), and Germany (1.29 billion baht) following.
Investments primarily targeted sectors such as software development for digital assets and applications, machinery manufacturing, automotive research and development, and online game software, introducing beneficial technologies to Thailand.
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) attracted 73 foreign investors, representing 19% of the total, with pledged investments reaching 12.3 billion baht, largely driven by Japanese firms.

Thailand secures US$200m World Bank loan for clean energy and low carbon cities

Yesterday 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).