Alibaba, WHA make plans for e-commerce project

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and SET-listed WHA Corporation Plc expect to announce a joint investment plan some time this year, says Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana.

WHA was recently promoted for new special economic zones by the ad hoc committee for developmental administration of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

WHA will be granted 232 rai in Chachoengsao's Bang Pakong district for an e-commerce special economic zone, with an investment of 1.3 billion baht in robotics, automation, logistics and a digital centre.

The EEC Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will acknowledge and approve the proposal of new special economic zones on Jan 23, Mr Uttama said.

"Both companies will be partners in the e-commerce park project in Chachoengsao, and this project will support local companies and serve the country's logistics system and online trading," he said. "The government and Alibaba signed many agreements last April to develop the country's e-commerce and logistics industries through Alibaba's platform."

Mr Uttama said the government aims to promote new investment projects for upgrading to higher technology and innovation.

Alibaba wants to invest in Thailand and expand its business presence across Southeast Asia, he said.

"Alibaba plans to set up a logistics centre to serve the e-commerce market in the region," Mr Uttama said. "An R&D centre and a SME development centre are included in the e-commerce park project. Alibaba wants to use Thailand as a hub to provide their products on its online marketplace to neighbouring countries and link to the global market."

He said Alibaba wants local SMEs to be its supply chain to provide their products to its online marketplace and bring other Chinese companies to invest in Thailand once the project is completed.

Separately, Mr Uttama said the Eastern Fruit Corridor (EFC) scheme in Rayong province will come in the form of a public-private partnership (PPP).

The EFC was initiated by the Industry Ministry as the country's first fruit auction market in a bid to help local farmers and stabilise fruit prices.

The government, private companies and local farmers will join the project.

The fruit auction market is located in the Smart Park industrial estate in Rayong. The government will allocate a budget of 1.58 billion baht for the project.