Saab mulls maintenance hub in EEC
- Published: 20/04/2017 at
04:00 AM
- Newspaper
section: Business
Saab Automobile AB, a Swedish manufacturer of
fighter jets, among other products, has expressed interest in investing in a
production and maintenance hub in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), says
Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana
.
After meeting with Kaj Rosander, executive
vice-president of Saab Asia-Pacific, Mr Uttama said Saab is interested in
building a maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) hub at U-tapao airport.
The airport is slated to be upgraded from an
ageing military outpost to a modern commercial airport providing air logistics
service to serve rising demand in Thailand's Eastern Seaboard.
"Saab does not have an MRO hub in the
region and it sees Thailand as the perfect spot in which to invest because of
its location in the middle of the Asean and its links to the region, including
to potential production hubs," he said.
Saab Asia-Pacific, whose products include
submarines, missiles, radar and fighter jets, is interested in the Thai
government's foreign investment incentives for EEC.
The EEC is the government's flagship policy
to boost the Thai economy and push the country towards modern industry. The EEC
will span a combined 30,000 rai in the provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong and
Chachoengsao to accommodate investment in 10 targeted industries.
The industries are next-generation cars;
smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and
biotechnology; food; robotics for industry; logistics and aviation; biofuels
and biochemicals; digital; and medical services.
Arne Heden, senior adviser from the parent
company in Sweden, and Dan Averstad, director of the Swedish Defence Authority,
were also at the meeting with Mr Uttama yesterday, indicating the company plans
to invest not only in fighter jets, but also in several commercial aeroplane
parts.
Mr Uttama said the Thai government will work
to coordinate talks between Saab and Thai Airways International Plc to seek
ways to develop an aviation hub in the EEC.
Saab's representatives are scheduled to
observe U-tapao airport soon to determine an investment plan.
After the meeting, Mr Uttama said the two
sides agreed to set up a working committee on the progress of EEC development
and Saab investment in Thailand.
Members of the working committee will
comprise representatives from Saab and Thai government officials working on the
EEC development.
"The committee is scheduled to meet
every month to accelerate Saab's investment in the EEC, aiming to start within
the next few years," he said.
Writer: Lamonphet
Apisitniran
Original post: bangkokpost.com
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