Foreign investment in Thailand hit Bt82bn in 2021, Japan tops ranking again
Thailand saw total foreign investment of 82.501 billion baht last year, creating 5,450 jobs for Thais, the Commerce Ministry announced on Monday.
Japan remained the Kingdom’s highest foreign investor, topping the rankings with 23.260 billion baht or 28.6 per cent of total investment.
The United States was second with 5.948 billion baht (15.4 per cent) and Singapore third with 10.530 billion baht (15.1 per cent).
Most of the 570 foreign businesses handed licences in 2021 were related to new or S-Curve industries. The government is seeking to attract S-Curve businesses with investment promotions in a bid to drive economic development.
Foreign investment is expected to expand this year amid signs that domestic and international demand have begun to recover.
The trend of investing in joint ventures with Thai companies in order to receive incentives from the Board of Investment should aid recovery of the domestic economy, said Sinit.
Top 10 territories for foreign investment in Thailand last year:
1. Japan: 28.6% (Bt23.260 billion) via 163 businesses.
2. United States: 15.4% (Bt5.948 billion) via 88 businesses.
3. Singapore:15.1% (Bt10.530 billion) via 86 businesses.
4. Hong Kong: 7.2% (Bt19.555 billion) via 41 businesses.
5. China: 5.1% (Bt3.748 billion) via 29 businesses.
6. The Netherlands: 3.2% (Bt3.063 billion) via 18 businesses.
7. France: 2.6% (Bt1.127 billion) via 15 businesses.
8. South Korea: 2.5% (Bt847 million) via 14 businesses.
9. Germany: 2% (Bt695 million) via 16 businesses.
10. United Kingdom: 1.5% (636 million baht) via 9 businesses.
Other countries accounted for 16 per cent of foreign investment (13.093 billion baht) via 91 businesses.
