1.7 trillion baht public works project

[SoiCowboyTony]

AFX News Limited

Thailand opens bidding process for 1.7 trln baht public works scheme

01.26.2006, 02:20 AM

 

BANGKOK (AFX) - Thailand has opened the bidding process for its 1.70 trln baht public works scheme, with more than 1,000 foreign firms vying for contracts.

 

'A central focus of my government's efforts is the development of Thailand into a modern, competitive, knowledge-based economy,' Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told some 1,500 foreign executives at Government House.

 

'We seek the participation of global talents to support our endeavors ... We seek project proposals that are technically world-class, employing cutting-edge and appropriate technology,' he said.

 

The public works scheme includes a plan to expand Bangkok's mass transit railway system, estimated at 550 bln baht.

 

It also includes projects to expand broadband internet access around the country, improve public health and agricultural services, and to modernize Thailand's defenses.

 

Companies have until April 28 to submit proposals, and the government will award the projects by end-September.

 

Kanang Duangmanee, an economist at Kasikorn Research Center, said Thailand needs massive foreign investments to achieve the government's goal of 5.0 pct economic growth in 2006, amid high inflation and sluggish consumer spending.

 

Thailand's inflation rate in December stood at 5.8 pct, off its peak of 6.2 pct in October, while consumer spending in November fell 0.2 pct year-on-year, marking the first drop since July.

 

'When you look at the mega project, it covers various sectors ranging from transportation to health care to communication. If we get foreign investments in these sectors, it would stimulate the economy,' Kanang said.

 

'Without foreign investments, Thailand may not be able to achieve economic growth in 2006 due to inflation and weak consumer spending. Also we have not invested heavily in infrastructure,' she said.

 

Lothar Herrmann, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Ltd (Thailand), said the bidding process is not clear but adds that his company plans to submit proposals.

 

'We are waiting for clear information to be released by the government over the next couple of weeks,' he said. 'But we will be ready for submitting proposals by the end of April.'

 

Herrman said Siemens is interested in bidding for every project and the company is in talks with Thai and foreign firms to form bidding consortia.

 

Daniel Dunoyes, an executive with France's Alstom, also said: 'The company is ready to submit a technical proposal for the mass transit system.'

 

Karl-Heiz Heckhausen, president and CEO of DaimlerChrysler (Thailand) Ltd, said the auto giant is considering supplying 5,000 buses to improve the kingdom's transportation system.

 

Japanese and Chinese firms are also interested in the railway project, officials said.

 

Bangkok's existing mass transit system has three lines -- two above ground, and one underground -- with a total of 75 kilometers of tracks. Together they carry almost 500,000 passengers each day.

 

The highlight of the new public works project is the addition of 10 new lines in Bangkok, with a total length of 329.5 kilometers.

 

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Does anyone have any local connections with Siemens that you could direct me to? I am interested in obtaining a job supporting the telecommunications/fiber technology arm of Siemens. Send me a PM if you can be of assistance.

 

Thanks...

[cavanami]

I'm sure that this will be all above the board ::

[Nervous_Dog]

I was at this yesterday, some of the departments are working real, some are dreams

 

DOG