FDI’s in Thailand remains a top priority for the government for 2017, with the additional of legal amendments and regulations in an effort to achieve this, in line with the escalated target (of 450 to 550 billion baht) set by Somkid Jatusriptak, the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister. The impact of this is the necessity of the BoI to hold more foreign roadshows. Investment approved by the BoI included steel cord manufacturing, petrochemicals, aviation, logistics and land development in industrial estates.

According to a statement from the office of the Prime Minister, the country is actually expected to undergo a transformation from a middle-income to a high-income country through the promotion of new investments in 10 targeted industries.  This will be part of a large program entitled ‘Thailand 4.0’

The industries are: automotive and auto parts, including electric vehicles; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology; food; robotics for industry; logistics and aviation; biofuels and biochemicals; digital; and medical services which will focus on added valued to products through advanced technology and innovations, which means Thailand needs investment in those areas.