Thailand: PPP panel to mull 6 more projects

  • Six additional projects worth a combined THB85bn are expected to seek the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) committee’s approval in 2019 to proceed under the joint investment scheme.
  • Any of the six projects that are ready for investment can be proposed to the PPP committee without waiting for a new government to form, said Prapas Kong-Ied, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo).
  • The Public Health Ministry’s medical centre worth THB8.22bn is Sepo’s priority because it will start helping people as soon as it opens, he said. The other five projects are the Kathu-Patong highway in Phuket province, worth THB14.1bn; a housing community in Chiang Mai’s Nong Hoi, valued at THB5.55bn; restoration of Din Daeng community in the third and the fourth phase, worth THB39.8bn; the National Housing Authority’s residential and commercial development projects along electric train routes, worth THB4.23bn; and a public liquid cargo berth, worth THB13bn.
  • Mr Prapas said he has reiterated that state enterprises need to speed up investment budget disbursement during the transition period to a new government to shore up the economy.
  • Given many public holidays in Apr – May 19, budget disbursement will likely be less than targeted during 2Q19, Mr Prapas said. However, he said 45 state enterprises doled out THB51.6bn worth of investment budget, representing 62% of the target, for the five months through Feb 19. Of the total, THB35.5bn was drawn down by 34 state enterprises whose accounting period is based on the fiscal year, and the remainder by 11 whose accounting period uses the calendar year.

External Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1668812/pheu-thai-panel-to-mull-6-more-projects?utm_source=bangkopost.com&utm_medium=article_news&utm_campaign=most_recent_box

29-Apr-2019