Thailand and Japan Strengthen Green Industry Collaboration with Launch of Sustainable Business Desk

In a major step towards sustainable industrial development, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Bangkok, in collaboration with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), has established the Sustainable Business Desk. This initiative serves as a central hub for promoting public-private cooperation between Thailand and Japan in sustainable business practices and advancing carbon neutrality (CN). Leading Thai and Japanese corporations, including CP Group, PTT Global Chemical, and other key industry players, have endorsed the initiative and demonstrated tangible progress in sustainable business development.

Driving Carbon Neutrality and Green Innovation

Mr. Kuroda Jun, President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO Bangkok), emphasized the growing urgency of addressing climate change, as rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and agricultural disruptions increasingly impact economies and communities worldwide. In response, many countries have committed to Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero Emissions, aligning with global environmental standards. Consumer and business preferences are also shifting towards sustainable products and ESG-focused (Environmental, Social, and Governance) enterprises.

To facilitate this transition, the Sustainable Business Desk has been established with the support of both Thai and Japanese public and private sector organizations. The desk's primary role is to assist businesses in adopting green economy principles, reducing carbon emissions through innovative technologies, and making environmentally friendly investments. This collaboration will be showcased at Thailand-Japan Sustainable Business Forum 2025, which will bring together key government agencies such as BOI and EECO, alongside leading private-sector firms, to highlight tangible progress in sustainable industrial transformation.

Notable initiatives under this collaboration include:

• CP Group & CPF x Thermalytica:
  • Joint development of sustainable technologies for temperature reduction in livestock housing as part of a Proof of Concept (PoC) initiative.
• PTT Global Chemical x CBT/Toray:
  • Transformation of agricultural waste, such as non-food biomass sugar, into commercial bio-resins and bio-fibers, supporting the circular economy and low-carbon manufacturing.
• BLCP Power Limited x Algal Bio:
  • A pioneering Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project leveraging microalgae technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

BOI's Commitment to Green Investment and BCG Model

Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), highlighted the establishment of the Sustainable Business Desk as a landmark initiative in Thailand-Japan collaboration. He emphasized its role in accelerating the shift toward eco-friendly industries and achieving carbon reduction targets. The initiative aligns with Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model, a key pillar of the government's economic strategy.

BOI has played a crucial role in fostering sustainable investments through targeted BCG incentives. In 2024 alone, BOI approved 939 BCG industry projects, spanning agriculture processing, food technology, biotechnology, biofuels, renewable energy, and recycling, with a combined investment value exceeding 230 billion THB. Since 2018, BOI has promoted over 5,380 BCG-related projects, totaling 1.15 trillion THB in investment, reinforcing Thailand's position as a regional green economy hub.

Additionally, BOI is enhancing investment promotion policies to support the rapid shift toward green industries, including:

• Expansion of incentives for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, a rising global trend.
• Development of Bio Hubs to increase the value of Thailand's agricultural raw materials.
• Upgrades to the Smart & Sustainable Industry initiative to encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly production processes, enhance energy efficiency, and achieve international sustainability standards.

BOI continues to work closely with private sector stakeholders to ensure Thailand's investment ecosystem remains aligned with the evolving green economy landscape.

Japan's Role in EEC Investment and Sustainable Growth

Dr. Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul, Assistant Secretary General, Macroeconomic Affairs, Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), noted that investment in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) remains strong. From 2018-2024, investment in the EEC totaled 1.82 trillion THB (approximately USD 52.3 billion), accounting for 52% of Thailand's total investment projects.

In 2024, BOI-approved investments in the EEC reached 374.4 billion THB, marking the highest level since the enactment of the EEC Act in 2018. Key sector investments included:

• Digital & Electronics: 110.7 billion THB
• Automotive: 75.3 billion THB
• BCG Economy: 27.6 billion THB
• Healthcare & Medical: 2.4 billion THB
• Service Industries: 41.7 billion THB
• Other Relevant Industries: 116.7 billion THB

Japan remains a major foreign investor in the EEC, contributing 12% of total investment value from 2018-2024, particularly in automotive, petrochemicals, and green energy.

Looking ahead, EEC investment targets for 2025 are set at 150 billion THB, with a five-year investment goal (2023-2027) of 500 billion THB. The EECO continues to collaborate with Japanese partners to drive investments in the BCG sector, leveraging Japan's expertise in energy efficiency, clean energy, and carbon management technologies.

The Sustainable Business Desk is expected to facilitate further business matchmaking opportunities for new investments, particularly in technology transfer and joint ventures, aligning with Japan's Co-Creation Investment Strategy and Thailand's transition to a green, sustainable economy.

Conclusion: A Joint Commitment to a Sustainable Future

The Thailand-Japan Sustainable Business Forum 2025 and the Sustainable Business Desk mark a new era of collaboration between Thailand and Japan in advancing sustainable business practices and carbon neutrality. With strong public-private sector engagement and tangible investment initiatives, Thailand and Japan are jointly leading the way toward a more sustainable, environmentally responsible future.