In depth

Promoting Thailand as the regional EV hub

The electronic vehicle (EV) industry is one of the targeted industries promoted by the BOI. The BOI plans to promote Thailand as the regional EV hub, and has been offering incentives to investors in activities relating to EV manufacturing.

New investment in the following activities related to EVs are currently eligible for investment promotion:

Key conditions

The business operator will need to meet a list of requirements and conditions to obtain investment promotion – for example, implementing technology transfer plans to enhance local suppliers, meeting specific safety standards, or manufacturing certain parts (e.g., traction motors, battery management systems, or drive control units).

Promoting sustainability-related activities

The BOI generally promotes numerous business activities that are considered environmentally-friendly such as the manufacture of eco-friendly chemicals or polymers, or products from eco-friendly polymers; recycling and waste treatment; and industrial estates or zones for environmental conservation.

Recently, in response to Thailand's mission to reduce its carbon footprint and become a low-carbon economy, the BOI grants the following investment incentives to new investment in several business activities:

*CCUS: carbon capture, usage, and storage technology

Improving production efficiency

The BOI grants privileges to qualified investments to promote the improvement of production efficiencies in various areas. The following measures particularly relate to environmental protection and sustainability. These measures are available for both new and existing businesses, regardless of whether the business is already promoted by the BOI at the time of application.

Under this measure, the BOI promotes:

A. Energy and environmental conservation

A business operator can benefit from BOI privileges if it plans to improve production by investing at least THB 1 million¹ (or THB 500,000² for SMEs) in environmentally-friendly machinery to support energy conservation, alternative energy or reduce the negative effects on the environment (such as installing solar power systems):

✓    Investments in modern-technology machinery to conserve energy.

✓    Investments in machinery to utilize alternative energy.

✓    Investments in machinery to reduce environmental impacts (e.g., waste, water pollution, and air pollution).

✓    Investments in machinery to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (registered and certified by the TGO).

B. International sustainability certification

A business operator can benefit from BOI privileges if it plans to improve production by investing at least THB 1 million³ (or THB 500,000⁴ for SMEs) to upgrade the standards of the agriculture industry in Thailand to meet international standards such as Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme, and Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000).

Deadline

Unless extended by the BOI, the deadline to apply for the investment promotion under this measure is the last working day of 2022.

Promoting a grassroots economy

The BOI grants privileges to qualified investments to support local organizations in developing, among other things, a sustainable agro-industry. This measure is available for both new and existing businesses, regardless of whether the business is already promoted by the BOI at the time of application.

Key conditions

Business operators who are interested in supporting local communities can obtain investment promotion under this measure if the following conditions can be fulfilled:

✓    Investment of at least THB 1 million⁵ (excluding land and working capital) by contributing at least THB 200,000⁶ per local organization. For existing promoted projects, only the contribution of at least THB 200,000⁷ per local organization will be required. 

✓    Proposal of a plan to collaborate with a local organization to: (i) enhance competitiveness in production or service; (ii) support the local organization on water management; or (iii) develop a sustainable agricultural business.

Deadline

Unless extended by the BOI, the deadline to apply for investment promotion under this measure is the last working day of 2022.

Time to prepare for sustainable business

Sustainability initiatives play a key role in the growth of companies in all sectors. Businesses that are interested in launching sustainability and ESG initiatives in Thailand should consider applying for investment promotion from the BOI – to both enjoy the privileges and support the journey towards sustainability and achieving ESG goals.

1 This is estimated at USD 27,000

2 This is estimated at USD 13,500

3 This is estimated at USD 27,000

4 This is estimated at USD 13,500

5 This is estimated at USD 27,500

6 This is estimated at USD 5,400

7 This is estimated at USD 5,400