Bangkok (VNA) 𝕴– The Thai Board of Investment (BoI)on February 14 unveiled its strategies to attract foreign investors over thenext three to five years.
BoI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi said theboard's strategies are in line with the country's long-term socio-economicdevelopment plans and they support manufacturing and industrial sectors so thatlocal and foreign companies can develop the foundation for their growth inThailand. Under the new strategies, BoI plans to focus more on promotingthe bio-circular-green economic model, electric vehicles, and digital andcreative businesses. Bangkok will play a key role in convincing foreign investmentand global companies to set up regional hubs thanks to its advantage ofelectric trains serving all areas of the city and its vicinity, includingairports and ports. According to Narit, countries and businesses looking to drawinvestment are facing challenges, including carbon dioxide emissions, geopoliticalconflicts, shortages of raw materials, technological disruption, epidemics, andan ageing population. However, Thailand has advantages as it is located in the centreof Southeast Asia, not largely affected by the US-China trade war. The country has fewer conflicts with other nations, and possesses aflexible supply chain, said Narit. He added that Thailand also proved its ability to handle criseslike the pandemic and supply renewable energy. Businesses should follow new investment trends such asdiversification, green investments, and smart manufacturing, he said, addingthat foreign direct investors tend to consider factors such as availability ofinfrastructure and logistics, qualified personnel, regulations favourable tothe business sector, supporting industrial bases, reasonable costs andgovernment benefits. He said the private sector and government agencies shouldintroduce measures such as reskilling and upskilling their workforces, raisingthe level of Thai industry to a smart and sustainable basis, and strengtheningand creating business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) and startups. Meanwhile, large companies should be encouraged to play agreater role in three areas of human development, SME development, andcommunity development./.
Thailand’s economy could grow faster than forecast this year as a revival in tourism quickens, while the pace of monetary tightening to stave off inflationary pressures remained reasonable, according to Thai Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC) on February 14 said that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) performed strongly in January 2023 with companies continuing to mobilise fund through the bourse in various forms to expand their business.
Thailand's Commerce Ministry is scheduled to organise about 450 activities to stimulate exports this year, focusing mainly on four potential markets namely the Middle East, South Asia, China, and the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam), a senior official has said.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
A street in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
