The new regulations, designed to speed up launch of investment projects, will shorten the time frame to 8-10 months from the current average of 40 months. Under the new rules, the project preparation and proposal phase is to take about 3.5-4.5 months and selection of private firms would take approximately 4.5-5.5 months. So far, four projects have been chosen: U-tapao Aerotropolis (expected to cost Bt310.4 billion), high-speed rail (Bt215.1 billion), the Laem Chabang seaport extension (Bt155.8 billion) and Map Ta Phut seaport extension (Bt 10.2 billion). Ekniti says the EEC is on track to meet the goals of its 5C’s: certainty, consolidation, concurrence, checks and balances and commitment.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 06, 2017 09:22 UTC