“Strength to Strength” projects closer to launch

Contracts for the first lot of projects approved under the Bt1.45t “Thailand: Investing from Strength to Strength” infrastructure programme should be ready for signature within three months. Chakrit Parapuntakul, deputy director-general of the Public Debt Management Office, said contracts for Bt200b worth of projects approved by the cabinet last month would be ready to be awarded within the next three months. Of the Bt12b worth of road maintenance projects proposed by the Highways Department, 70% were ready to award contracts now, with the rest likely to complete procurement procedures by November. For the 16- billion-baht rubberised asphalt roadway programme, contracts are expected to be all awarded by the end of next month. (Bangkok Post)