Thailand's BOI revises promotional investment target

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - The state-run Board of Investment (BoI) has revised this year’s target for the total value of investment projects seeking promotional privileges up to 630 billion baht. The revision comes after the figure reached nearly 400 billion baht at the end of first half this year. BoI secretary-general Atchaka Sibunruang said this meant the value could easily surpass the previous target set at 600 billion baht for the calendar 2012. She went on to say that Japanese businesses remained the largest group of investors in Thailand, adding that Thailand still had to depend on the import of Japanese auto parts to support a growing auto industry at home. Touching on a seminar on Thailand’s investment promotion policy, held in the Japanese city of Osaka last week, Mrs. Atchaka said the programme achieved great success as more than 400 Japanese businessmen attended the session. Atchaka pointed out however that the investors were still worried about the lack of skilled Thai workers and whether they could meet their demand. (TNA)