B620bn boost for Northeast
Cabinet approves five clusters of investments

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news

Published: 23/02/2012 at 02:13 AMNewspaper section: News   
UDON THANI : The cabinet yesterday agreed in principle to five clusters of investment projects worth ,ore than 620 billion baht for the Northeast.

The five clusters of projects were proposed by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking and the National Economic and Social Development Board, deputy government spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said yesterday.

The first cluster of investment projects, aimed at logistics improvements, includes a 140 billion baht Bangkok-Nong Khai double-rail line; a 145 billion baht Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed train system; and a 336km Khon Kaen (Ban Phai)-Maha Sarakham-Roi Et-Mukdahan-Nakhon Phanom railway which would cost an estimated 33 billion baht. A proposal to repair highways No.211 and No.212 at a cost of 50-60 billion baht was also approved as part of the first cluster.

The cabinet gave the green light to a second group of investment projects including a proposal to establish a "special border economic area" that covers Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, and Nong Khai as well as a proposal to set up a green industrial estate in the upper Northeast.

That is a very good news indeed! The red shirts should be pleased at the prospect of large investments in Isan. I just hope that Isan based companies will be effectively involved at some stage in this big infrastructure realization. No need to mention that it should help Lao to get a stronger and maybe a cheaper link to Thai harbor and logistic hubs. I wonder if it will not increase significantly Thai imports over Lao exports? Looking forward to hear about this topic again. Thanks for keeping us posted!