ประชุมสภาอุตสาหกรรมภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ ขับเคลื่อนแผนการดำเนินงานและเศรษฐกิจMeeting of the Northeast Industrial Council to Drive Operational Plans and the Economy

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the Northeast Industrial Council held its first meeting of 2025. Mr. Nuttawut Wonnapongthipakorn, Secretary-General of the Northeast Industrial Council and President of the Buriram Provincial Industry Council welcomed guests, and Mr. Somyod Chanjuangthavorn, President of the Northeast Industrial Council, officiated the opening of the meeting.

This meeting was honored with the presence of Mr. Kriangkrai Thianukul, President of the FTI, who discussed the preparedness to address the impacts on Thailand from the trade policies of the United States, alongside Mr. Thavee Piyapattana, Senior Vice President of the FTI, Mr. Apichit Prasoprat, Mr. Thawatchai Hengprasert, Vice Presidents of the FTI, and Mr. Hasdin Suwattanapongchet, Mr. Apipob Phuengchanchaikul, Deputy Secretary-General of the FTI, participated to provide information to promote and support the operations of the provincial industrial councils and to address the issues faced by members in the region at the Function Room of Modena by Fraser Hotel, Buriram Province.

The meeting presented several key issues, as follows:

1) An invitation to members to attend the FTI Annual General Meeting in 2025 scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2025, from 08:30 – 13:00 at Ballroom 1 - 2, 1st Floor, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
2) An invitation for members to create an E-Catalog (Provincial E-Catalog) to enhance opportunities for expanding into international markets.
3) Presentation of SME D Bank’s financial lending policy with a special interest rate of 3% per annum, fixed for the first three years, with a repayment period of up to 10 years, and a principal payment holiday of up to 12 months, including loans: “SME Green Productivity” with maximum loan amount of 10 million baht, “Wake Up SME” with maximum loan per individual of 1.5 million baht, and “Beyond SME” with maximum loan amount of 15 million baht, with a special discount on project assessment fees of up to 0.25%* when applying for loans and receiving approval by June 30, 2025.
4) Summary of the plan for showcasing the Northeastern region at the FTI Expo 2025, with members from the Northeastern region presenting 20 items (Udon Thani 2 items, Korat 7 items, Khon Kaen 2 items, Buriram 3 items, Nong Bua Lamphu 1 item, Maha Sarakham 1 item, Yasothon 1 item, Mukdahan 1 item, and Loei 2 items), with total operational costs of 36,860 baht. Surveys were distributed to booth visitors, and a total of 167 responses were received, with suggestions from members to display more products and to allow for product sales on-site.
5) Summary of the SME Soft Power project for five groups of provinces in the Northeastern region, which has been completed and received financial support as follows:
- Upper Northeastern Group 1 completed 90% of the work with a financial support amount of 340,200 baht.
- Upper Northeastern Group 2 completed 100% of the work with a financial support amount of 378,000 baht.
- Central Northeastern Group completed 100% of the work with a financial support amount of 378,000 baht.
- Lower Northeastern Group 1 completed 100% of the work with a financial support amount of 378,000 baht.
- Lower Northeastern Group 2 completed 77.48% of the work with a financial support amount of 292,855.81 baht.
6) Submission of names of restaurants and accommodations to be featured on the FTI e-member card by the provincial industrial council, requesting cooperation to inform the council of at least 2 services per province, which can be filled out at: https://forms.gle/3K2188jhCWwNvw29A by March 31, 2025.
7) Issues faced by members include:
- Buriram: A request to amend the criteria for promoting benefits from BOI for businesses related to breeding animals or pets.
- Surin: A request for the FTI to expedite the process of applying for an industrial quarry license.
9) Preparations to address urban planning issues.