Bangkok, The EEC board approves (draft) the EEC environmental plan. Create a balance in developing cities, communities, and taking care of a sustainable environment. Ready to follow the progress of 4 main infrastructures Add factors to attract investment to the EEC area. Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Revealing the results of the meeting of the Eastern Special Development Zone Policy Committee (EEC) No. 3/2024 that the meeting resolved to approve the (draft) environmental plan in the Eastern Special Development Zone area 2023 - 2027 by the Ministry of Natural Resources. and environment and assigned the OERC to present to the Cabinet in order to promote environmental management in line with the continuous development of cities and communities. Balancing various development projects Able to take care of the environment and community effectively and encourage sustainable business investment in the EEC area. The (draft) environmental plan includes: Strategy 1: Waste ma nagement and environmental pollution There is an important strategy Increase the efficiency of the wastewater management system, monitor the management of pollution from the source and in the environment, totaling 31 projects, such as the project to construct a wastewater collection and treatment system in the pollution control area of ??Rayong Province, the project to increase the efficiency of solid waste management in Klaeng District. Strategy 2: Conservation, restoration, care and sustainable use of natural resources. Important strategies such as resource management and land use. Sustainable water resource management, 65 projects, such as the Bang Phai Khlong Monkey Cheek Restoration Project Water source conservation and rehabilitation project with water distribution system on Samae San Island Strategy 3: Promoting sustainable livelihoods and business operations To support environmentally friendly business operations Support and adapt to climate change and disasters, 40 projects, such as the project to improve the landscape around Ban Amphur beach. Chonburi Province Project to drive towards Net Zero EEC supports climate-friendly investment and Strategy 4: Strengthening relevant sectors To develop tools and innovations to support natural resource and environmental management services, totaling 54 projects, such as clean production technology transfer projects for the biotechnology industry, etc. In this regard, the EEC meeting acknowledged the current progress of the high-speed rail project connecting three airports, SRT and private contractors. Agreed to accept delivery of the construction area when construction was completed. and negotiate principles for solving project problems from the impact of COVID-19. and the Russo-Ukrainian War A resolution has been reached. It is in the process of preparing to present to the EEC for consideration in order to propose to the Cabinet to review the PPP principles in accordance with the Cabinet resolution that approved the project on March 27, 2018. It is expected tha t it will be presented to the Cabinet within July. . 2024 After that, SRT and the contracting parties will negotiate a draft revised contract. To send to the Attorney General's Office for inspection and send to the Office of the Civil Service Commission and the Cabinet for approval and construction work to begin within December 2024. The principles for solving problems It will be based on public-private partnership. Be fair to the contracting party The state does not benefit. and the private sector does not receive undue benefits There are important principles, including amending the payment method for the state's joint investment in the project (PIC), with the state starting to invest sooner according to the completion period of the work. and the private sector agrees to place a guarantee (Bank Guarantee) for the full amount of construction costs. and amending the method for paying royalties for the Airport Rail Link (ARL) project, the private sector will pay in 7 installments, with SRT still receiving roya lties in the amount of 10,671.09 million baht, the private sector will bear the interest. All excess fees and financial expenses For the U-Tapao Airport Development Project and the Eastern Aviation City Progress in the public sector The Navy has issued an announcement inviting submissions for proposals for the construction of the second runway and taxiway at U-Tapao Airport. It's finished. and is expected to consider technical proposals Can be completed by June 2024 and construction completed by 2028 in terms of electrical and cooling water systems, which currently has an overall progress of 26.32% by the solar power plant. There is more than 94.85% progress in the aircraft refueling service system. There was a total of 47.38% progress in waterworks and wastewater treatment. There is a total progress of 97.62%, etc. As for coordinating and informing the private sector to begin construction of the project (NTP), it is expected that NTP will be able to be notified within 2024. It is expected that U-Tapao Airpo rt Will be open for service within 2029. Laem Chabang Port Development Project, Phase 3, Port F section, marine construction work Overall progress has been 29.02%, with reclamation areas 1 and 2 having been completed. As for the 3rd sea reclamation area, it is in the process of being filled. The F1 terminal is expected to be operational by 2027. Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Development Project, Phase 3, overall infrastructure construction There is progress of 80.93%. Work on reclamation of the LNG Plot (Plot B) and related business area (Plot C) has been completed. As for the liquid cargo port area (Plot A), progress is 30.95%, with Map Ta Phut Port Phase 3, Phase 1 expected to be completed in 2027. Source: Thai News Agency