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
5 Apr 2017 – U-Tapao International Airport, Rayong Province, Thailand: Today, 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) with the presence of General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of Thailand. 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) towards the vision of Thailand 4.0.
Atchaka Sibunruang, PhD, the minister of Ministry 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.
Our EECi allies include 50 organizations from the private sector, academic sector, research institutes (domestic and international), as well as the government sector. 20 private organizations are as follows: PTT Public Co. Ltd., Supreme Hitera Co. Ltd., Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co. Ltd., PTT Global Chemical Public Co. Ltd., Betagro Public Co. Ltd., Thai Wah Public Co. Ltd., Global Power Synergy Public Co. Ltd., Global Green Chemical Public Co. Ltd., Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation Public Co. Ltd., Asia Star Trade Co. Ltd., Siam Bioscience Co. Ltd., Baxter Health Care (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, Siam Cement Group Public Co. Ltd., D5 Future Industry Development Cluster (New S-Curve), Aapico Hitech Public Co. Ltd., Gravitech Thai (Thailand) Co. Ltd., R. V. Connext Co. Ltd., SAIC Motor-CP Co. Ltd., and Corbion Purac (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
Our academic allies include: Vidyasirimedhi Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Suranaree University of Technology, Naresuan University, Prince of Songkla University, Khon Kaen University, Walailak University, Kasetsart University, Chiang Mai University, Thammasat University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Asian Institute of Technology, Mahidol University, Thai-German Institute, and Kamnoetvidya Science Academy.
Our allied international research institutes are: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST, Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Platform (JASTIP), Kyoto University, Tokyo Tech, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute.
Our allied domestic research institutes include: Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization), Department of Science Service, National Institute of Metrology, National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office, The Center of Excellence for Life Science (Public Organization), National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), Department of Industrial Promotion, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, and Thailand Automotive Institute.
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.
Narong Sirilertworakul, PhD, the President of NSTDA, said NSTDA is appointed by Ministry of Science and Technology to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) as a complete eco-system for innovation and a new economic estate specialized in research, innovation, and related testing and evaluation, that boost the country’s competitiveness in the world market. 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.
There are three target technological and industry groups of EECi. First, ARIPOLIS is the center of research and innovation for automation, robotics, and intelligent systems. Second, BIOPOLIS is the center of research and innovation for life science and biotechnology. Third and last, SPACE KRENOVAPOLIS is the incubation center for space technology and geo-informatics.
In conclusion, the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) improves the country’s existing industries and promotes new industries with science, technology, and innovation. With a 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.
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