Newly appointed chief spells out four-point plan to develop EEC
The new chief of the state agency that runs the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has come up with a “4Rs” plan to push the special industrial zone as a model for sustainable development.
Chula Sukmanop, the newly appointed secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), said that his mission was to lead the agency to "re-evaluate, re-image, revive, and realise".
Re-evaluation involves assessing challenges facing the EEC's development, including the post-Covid “next normal” environment, the global recession, and climate change, he said in an interview with Krungthep Turakij, a sister publication of The Nation.
He said "re-imaging" involves creating a new image for the EEC so that it is viewed as modern and suitable for the current global context. The goal is to build confidence among potential investors in the economic development zone, which covers the three eastern seaboard provinces of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao.
The “revive” measure involves building public awareness of the projects being implemented in the EEC, Chula said. These include an effort to make the EEC’s residential area and working area coexist peacefully through such projects as "Smart Living City and EEC: Destination & Workation".
The "realisation" measure involves turning policies and plans into actual projects, products and positive results, according to Chula. The goal is to create and maintain an ecosystem suitable for continued and sustainable development, he said.
On December 28, the EECO executive board, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, resolved to appoint Chula – a former inspector-general of the Transport Ministry – as its new secretary-general.
The new chief said that his management would focus on good governance, modernisation, and Thai values while highlighting the EEC’s diversity and uniqueness.
He said the EEC would act as a facilitator for all the stakeholders including business entrepreneurs and those involved in the supply chain.
Chula also spelled out three main goals for the EECO – development of infrastructure costing 200 billion baht around the EEC, attracting 400 billion baht in investment per year, and upgrading communities around the EEC in terms of economic development, education, public health, environment, and public utilities.
