Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has encouraged Japanese investors to invest in the Dawei special economic zone, while the latter express interest in the project.
On 11 July 2013, Prime Minister Yingluck met with an executive of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Japanese Ambassador to Thailand Shigekazu Sato, and Thaioil CEO Weerasak Kositpaisarn. The premier invited the company and the Japanese private sector to invest in the Dawei special economic zone, saying Japan would benefit from the linking of Dawei and Laem Chabang ports.
The Mitsui & Co., Ltd. executive said the objective of his meeting with the PM was to inform her of the progress of the company’s joint investment with Thai Oil for the production of initial detergent substance, which would be exported to Japan and other countries worldwide.
According to Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Board Arkhom Termpitayapaisarn, s the Japanese Ambassador and his team have asked for information on the Dawei special economic zone and its feasibility. Thailand will have to discuss the project with Myanmar and wait for investors’ decisions before further developing the project, Arkhom said