Deadline for Map Ta Phut panel

The committee chaired by former prime minister Anand Panyarachun has been asked to prepare its recommendations for solving the investment problem at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate this week and forward them to the cabinet for consideration next week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.

The Supreme Administrative Court earlier this month upheld a lower court’s decision to suspend 65 industrial projects in the country’s largest industrial estate in Rayong after local residents and environmental groups complained that the government did not issue proper operating licences for the projects. Eleven projects were given the go ahead.

Mr Abhisit said quick action is necessary. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) is concerned if the problem at Map Ta Phut cannot be solved soon then sfor investment in other areas would be would be affected.

The Anand panel of local academics, non-governmental organisations, business groups and communities is working against time to draw up a blueprint for new industrial development and guidelines for environmental and health impact assessments (EIA and HIA) and the establishment of an independent body to hold public hearings as required by Article 67 of the constitution.

“We are concerned about projects which have started to operate or are under construction and want to know how they have been affected [by the Supreme Administrative Court's order],” Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said the government hopes to issue regulations implementing Article 67 of the constitution before the end of the year so that investment projects which have been stalled can proceed.

If the Map Ta Phut problem could be solved and environmental impacts minimised, it would be a boon to the Thai industrial sector, Mr Abhisit said.

Everybody must accept the fact that laxity of law enforcement and unsuitable systems were cause of the problem at Map Ta Phut. Solving the problem would be time-consuming.

Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) chairman Dusit Nontanakorn said the legal impasse at Map Ta Phut could hinder economic growth in the long term if the government does not resolve it within six months.

Mr Dusit said the private sector was concerned about the Map Ta Phut problem. It could worsen and may lower the country’s gross domestic product over the next five to 10 years.

There would be no investment by the local and foreign private sector as confidence would decrease due to the problems in Map Ta Phut, he said.

“When the Asean Community is formed and if Thailand still has this problem, foreigners will turn to invest in other countries without hesitation,” he said.

“However, the TCC believes the economy will certainly improve next year and the private sector still has confidence in the country’s economic fundamentals if the political situation does not deteriorate.”

Mr Dusit said the TCC was ready to work with the government to stimulate exports and develop a strategy to enhance the economy for the Commerce Ministry to implement with the private sector.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said her ministry aimed to boost next year’s export growth by 14 per cent even though the ministry’s forecast was higher than other agencies’ predictions.

Mrs Porntiva said the ministry had fine-tuned the product management system and grouped 10 main products into four product categories. The products include rice, textiles, jewellery, ornaments and decorative items, electrical appliances and automobiles.

SOURCE: bangkok Post