Following a period of year-on-year decline, investment into Thailand's industrial machinery, equipment and tools sector started to recover in 2013, according to greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets. Between January 2008 and July 2014, 116 FDI projects were recorded in the sector, with 12,316 jobs created by 105 investing companies.

In 2008, 35 projects were recorded in Thailand's industrial machinery, equipment and tools sector, with 4777 jobs created by 34 investment companies. In 2009, these figures decreased to 26 projects, with 2023 jobs created by 24 investing companies, representing a 25.7% decrease in projects, a 57.7% drop in jobs and a 29.4% decline in the number of companies investing.

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In 2010, investment dropped even further, with 18 projects recorded and 1728 jobs created by 17 investing companies. In 2011, 14 projects were recorded by 14 investing companies, with 1570 jobs created and, the following year, six projects were recorded with 296 jobs created by six different companies.

In 2013, however, there was a slight recovery in investment levels, with 11 projects recorded, 935 jobs created and 10 companies investing. With seven months of data recorded so far in 2014, the number of jobs created in the sector has already surpassed 2013's level, with 987 new jobs as a result of FDI. Both the number of projects recorded and companies investing remain similar to the levels seen in the first half of 2013. With five months of data still to be recorded for 2014, it is possible that total investment in the sector will show a second consecutive year-on-year increase.

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