The
shortlist of the projects, aimed at supporting growth and competitiveness in
the wake of regional integration, will be tabled for government consideration.
A
lion's share of 3.21 trillion baht would go to financing 229 projects to
restructure production and services, according to the National Economic and
Social Development Board's report presented at the third workshop on the
country's strategy and action plan yesterday.
Chaired
by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the meeting aims to prepare the country
for the Asean Economic Community in 2016.
Of
the total, 94 projects worth 472 billion baht aims to reduce social disparity.
They involve upgrading education, developing skills for labourers, promoting
small and medium-sized enterprises and community businesses, improving quality
and social services, enhancing good governance and ensuring fairness among
low-income earners.
Another
141.28 billion baht would support and promote 35 environmentally friendly
projects. They involve industrial eco-town development, carbon-emissions
reduction, tax incentives for green industries, better management for natural
resources and measures to reduce natural disasters.
The
remaining projects involve legislative reforms, budget allocation and
bureaucratic improvement.
The
meeting yesterday also agreed to have state agencies design their investment
projects in line with the country's strategy and submit their plans to the
NESDB by Jan 14.
Arkhom
Termpittayapaisith, NESDB's secretary general, reported to the meeting
yesterday that economic growth last year was 5.5%.
The
agency projected the average economic growth over the next five years at 6% and
5% for next 10 years.
This
compared favourably with the average growth of only 2.6% between 2007 and 2011.
(bangkokpost.com)