MOST and 50 Allied Organizations promote EECi. Boost industrial sector, economics, and people’s life quality with science, technology, and innovation towards Thailand 4.0

News & Activities

9 October 2017

ก.วิทย์ ผนึกกำลัง 3 แกนหลักของประเทศดึง 50 หน่วยงาน ลงนามความร่วมมือพัฒนา EECi ยกระดับเศรษฐกิจและคุณภาพชีวิตด้วยวิทยาศาสตร์ เทคโนโลยีและนวัตกรรมเสริมความแข็งแกร่ง Thailand 4.0

On 5 Apr 2017, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), a member of Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), signed a memorandum of understanding with 50 allied organizations to promote the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi).The allied organizations include the private sector, academia, research institutes (domestic and international), and the government sector. The project aims to boost the competitiveness of the country and improve people’s quality of life with science, technology, and innovation (STI) a tU-Tapao International Airport, Rayong Province; with the presence of General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of Thailand.

Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, Minister of Science and Technology, said “NSTDA under MOST is appointed by the Royal Thai Government to establish EECi with a close collaboration with our allies, in order to leverage science, technology, and innovation and boost the country’s competitiveness and people’s quality of life. EECi will be comprised of two campuses. First, Wang Chan Valley Campus is located in a 1,200-acre area in Rayong Province and it will consist of ARIPOLIS (for automation, robotics, and intelligent systems) and BIOPOLIS (for life science and biotechnology). The second campus is Space Krenovation Park (SKP), located in a 48-acre area in Sriracha, Chonburi Province and specialized in the aeronautic and aerospace industry.

Our EECi allies include 20 private organizations, 10 domestic research institutes, 15 academic allies, 5 international research institutes

20 private organizations are as follows:

ก.วิทย์ ผนึกกำลัง 3 แกนหลักของประเทศดึง 50 หน่วยงาน ลงนามความร่วมมือพัฒนา EECi ยกระดับเศรษฐกิจและคุณภาพชีวิตด้วยวิทยาศาสตร์ เทคโนโลยีและนวัตกรรมเสริมความแข็งแกร่ง Thailand 4.0

1. PTT Public Co. Ltd.
2. Supreme Hitera Co. Ltd.
3. Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co. Ltd.
4. PTT Global Chemical Public Co. Ltd.
5. Betagro Public Co. Ltd.
6. Thai Wah Public Co. Ltd.
7. Global Power Synergy Public Co. Ltd.
8. Global Green Chemical Public Co. Ltd.
9. Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation Public Co. Ltd.
10. Asia Star Trade Co. Ltd.

11. Siam Bioscience Co. Ltd.
12. Baxter Health Care (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
13. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association
14. Siam Cement Group Public Co. Ltd.
15. D5 Future Industry Development Cluster (New S-Curve)
16. Aapico Hitech Public Co. Ltd.
17. Gravitech Thai (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
18. R. V. Connext Co. Ltd.
19. SAIC Motor-CP Co. Ltd.
20. Corbion Purac (Thailand) Co. Ltd.

10 domestic research institutes allied include:

1. Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research
2. Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization)
3. Department of Science Service
4. National Institute of Metrology
5. National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office

6. The Center of Excellence for Life Science (Public Organization)
7. National Innovation Agency (Public Organization)
8. Department of Industrial Promotion
9. Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand
10. Thailand Automotive Institute.

15 academic allies include:

1. Vidyasirimedhi Institute
2. Chulalongkorn University
3. Suranaree University of Technology
4. Naresuan University
5. Prince of Songkla University
6. Khon Kaen University
7. Walailak University
8. Kasetsart University

9. Chiang Mai University
10. Thammasat University
11. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi
12. Asian Institute of Technology
13. Mahidol University
14. Thai-German Institute
15. Kamnoetvidya Science Academy

5 international research institutes allied are:

1. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
2. Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)
3. Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Platform (JASTIP)
4. Kyoto University, Tokyo Tech
5. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute

Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, President, NSTDA, said the EECi will work as close collaboration with the private, academic, and government sectors, as well as local people, our mission is to make Thailand an innovative country with stability, prosperity, and sustainability, as well as improve her people’s quality of life with science, technology, and innovation. The EECi campuses will be constituted with government-funded and private research laboratories, field test centers, pilot plants, and demonstration plants. Exempt from preemptive legal regulations, EECi is a sandbox for regulatory adjustment for innovation testing. Furthermore, EECi aims at supporting all kinds of activities that improve the quality of life for the local people with science, technology, and innovation.

In conclusion, the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) improves the country’s existing industries and increase R&D spending from 0.62% to 1%. R&D proportion of private:public will increased to 70:30 in 2018 with more commercialized R&D projects, leading to higher quality product and service with international standard, as well as better quality of life of the local communities for prosperity and sustainability, said Dr. Narong.

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