Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Ph.D., Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), led an executive delegation to Singapore from 30–31 July 2026 to participate in the ASEAN Conference 2026, organized by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) at the Resorts World Convention Centre. In collaboration with UOB Thailand, EECO showcased Thailand’s investment potential and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to regional investors, reaffirming the EEC’s position as a neutral investment destination and a strategic hub for future industries.
Marking its 10th anniversary, ASEAN Conference 2026 was held under the theme “ASEAN’s Future in a Fractured World.” The conference brought together government leaders, business executives, investors, and policymakers from across the region to discuss enhancing regional competitiveness, strengthening supply chain resilience, accelerating the digital economy, and promoting sustainable development.
A key highlight of the conference was the Thailand Market Breakout Session, titled “Thailand’s Economic Push for Regional Competitiveness,” where Secretary General participated in a Fireside Chat. He emphasized Thailand’s and the EEC’s strategic advantages, highlighting the EEC’s geopolitical neutrality as an increasingly important factor for global investors amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. He also underscored the EEC’s strong industrial base, world-class infrastructure, and readiness to support future-oriented industries, particularly data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean energy.
Mr. Chula further highlighted the progress of the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (Direct PPA) mechanism under the EEC legal framework, which enables industries to procure renewable electricity directly. Combined with foreign land ownership privileges under specific conditions and investment-friendly regulations, these measures further strengthen the EEC’s attractiveness as a long-term investment destination.
The conference also featured a panel discussion on smart city development and investment ecosystems, with Mr. Korthong Thongtham Na Ayutthaya, Acting Director of the EECiti Division, joining representatives from DayOne Data Center, Frasers Property (Thailand), and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on the role of smart infrastructure, sustainable urban development, and Thailand–Singapore collaboration in enhancing the region’s competitiveness.
In addition, the EECO delegation held meetings with Singaporean government agencies, financial institutions, and leading private-sector companies to further expand cooperation in key strategic areas, including infrastructure development, digital industries, smart cities, logistics, and investment promotion. The delegation also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mrs. Waraphannee Damrongmanee, Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore, to exchange views on strengthening economic and investment cooperation between Thailand and Singapore. These engagements reinforced EECO’s proactive role in advancing the EEC as a regional investment hub and in building investor confidence amid ongoing shifts in the global economy and supply chain landscape.
The mission underscored EECO’s proactive role in promoting Thailand and the EEC on the regional stage, while reinforcing investor confidence in the EEC as a competitive, future-ready investment hub supported by advanced infrastructure, clean energy initiatives, a robust industrial ecosystem, and a regulatory framework designed to facilitate long-term investment amid the evolving global economic landscape.
