Prime Minister Visits WHA Industrial Estate in EEC, Signifying Public-Private Cooperation to Advance Thailand as Global Hub for Integrated Automotive Production

Chonburi, November 4, 2023 – WHA Industrial Development PLC, a subsidiary of WHA Group, cordially welcomed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the Cabinet, and relevant senior officials during their visit. The objective of this visit was to inspect critical projects and target industries crucial for advancing national economic development in alignment with government policy. Additionally, the party aimed to oversee water management efforts within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to instill confidence among foreign investors.

During this visit, the Prime Minister and his delegation explored the expansive WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 (WHA ESIE 2), which encompasses an area of over 3,650 rai and is home to the automotive, electronics, and light chemical factories. The Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing on the management standards for the Smart ECO Industrial Estate, which underscored the facility's readiness in terms of utility systems, environmental management, and logistics.

Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Group CEO of WHA Corporation PLC, delivered a welcome speech and a comprehensive briefing to the Prime Minister and the delegation on this significant occasion. She expressed, "It is such a great honor for us at WHA to welcome the Prime Minister's visit to our industrial estate. This visit underscores the unwavering determination of both the Thai government and the private sector to elevate industrial estates to meet world-class standards, thereby expanding investment cooperation opportunities within the Asia-Pacific region. Thailand stands poised with the potential and readiness to emerge as one of the world's premier modern industrial centers, in addition to its current position as a leading global hub for integrated automotive production.

The Prime Minister and his delegation visited the factory of SAIC Motor - CP Co., Ltd., one of the country's major electric car manufacturers, strategically located within the vast WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 (WHA ESIE 2) and covering an area exceeding 437.5 rai. This visit coincided with the government's establishment of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, which has recently approved measures to support electric vehicles in phase 2, known as EV 3.5, over a four-year period from 2024 to 2027. This forward-looking decision is set to stimulate continued growth of the electric vehicle industry and pave the way for investment opportunities from new businesses worldwide. It aligns perfectly with the government's overarching policy to position Thailand as the central hub for electric vehicle production within the ASEAN region.

Furthermore, WHA Corporation is deeply committed to supporting development within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), while simultaneously facilitating the expansion of efficient transportation and logistics infrastructure across the nation. This includes the integration of sea transportation routes along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coast, which has been projected to offer distinct advantages for investments in both the EEC and the sustainable development of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC).

WHA Group has a total of 11 industrial estates in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), covering an area of over 50,000 rai, with nearly all of the industrial estates supporting entrepreneurs in the automotive business. As a result, WHA industrial estates stand as pioneering forces in the development of automotive industry-centric zones and have successfully secured the trust and allegiance of more than 300 renowned automotive and automotive parts manufacturers from all corners of the world. Distinguished names such as AAT, Ford, Mazda, Suzuki, MG, Great Wall Motors, BYD, and Changan have chosen these estates as their operational bases, solidifying these industrial hubs as integral components of the integrated automotive industry.

These estates are fully equipped with world-class infrastructure, public utilities, and cutting-edge digital technology and innovation. These offerings span a wide spectrum of domains, encompassing communication, transportation, security, wastewater production and treatment, and environmental control. Furthermore, the estates are connected to WHA's Unified Operation Center (UOC), housed at the WHA Tower headquarters in Bangna. This connectivity allows the company to maintain real-time monitoring of various environmental conditions. This unwavering commitment to advanced monitoring and technology integration aligns seamlessly with WHA Group's overarching mission to cultivate businesses that provide ultimate solutions for sustainable growth.