Thailand aims to develop shipbuilding industry

The state and private sectors have joined to coordinate their efforts to upgrade Thailand’s shipbuilding industry with an aim to make the country become ASEAN’s shipbuilding and repair center. Atchaka Sribunruang Brimble, director-general of the Industrial Economics Office (IEO), said the agency had signed a cooperation agreement with a private-sector alliance including Chulalongkorn University and the Thai Shipbuilding and Repair Association to prepare a complete data base on shipbuilding and repair in Thailand.

She said entrepreneurs expected the government would support their aspiration to see Thailand become ASEAN’s shipbuilding and repair hub in the future. Under the agreement, the state and private sectors will jointly update the data base on Thailand’s shipbuilding and repair activities.

In 2006, the shipbuilding and repair industry enjoyed satisfactory growth with a total shipbuilding value of Bt3.81 billion ($121 million) and the repair value of Bt2.01 billion ($64 million). This year, the value of shipbuilding is expected to reach some Bt10 billion ($318 million) and the value of the country’s repair service business to rise to Bt5 billion ($159 million). Preparation of the data base will help boost Thailand’s competitiveness in the shipbuilding and repair industry, she said.