S Africa eyes investment in EEC scheme

South Africa is interested in investing in the Thai government’s much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development project, according to Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich.

Lt Gen Kongcheep was briefing the media after South African ambassador to Thailand, Geoffrey Quinton Mitchell Doidge, paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

He said the pair were full of praise for the 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adding that South Africa is Africa’s most important strategic partner to Thailand.

Mr Doidge thanked Thailand for supporting his country through hardships in the past and said South Africa is ready to invest in the EEC scheme with regard to defence industry development and aircraft maintenance facilities.

The country is also ready to assist Thailand in humanitarian efforts and alleviation measures in the event of natural disasters, according to Lt Gen Kongcheep.

The EEC scheme is the country’s strategic special economic zone, in which investment is expected to exceed 1.7 trillion baht by 2021.

The EEC spans three strategic eastern provinces — Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong — which are positioned as a new special economic zone for 11 targeted S-curve industries linked to technology and innovation.

According to the spokesman, the ambassador also invited Gen Prawit to visit his country to explore military and defence industry cooperation.

Gen Prawit thanked South Africa for its trade, investment and military cooperation with Thailand, he said, adding that the two countries are in the process of drafting a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation, which would subsequently pave the way for joint military drills, intelligence sharing and defence industry collaboration.

Gen Prawit also emphasised that to the ambassador that Thailand will follow through on its pledged election roadmap, according to the spokesman.