Investment in Thailand’s manufacturing industry is showing signs of recovery, as the number of machinery imports in the first five months of 2016 increased by 8% year on year. The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has revealed that 508 businesses registered a total of 3,353 units of imported manufacturing equipment valued at 34 billion baht (about $966 million).

DIW director-general Pasu Loharjun hasforecast economic recovery this year due to improved investment. He expects the number of importers of manufacturing equipment to reach 1,300, spending an estimated 80 billion baht. Surveys show that the five industries with the highest number of new machine registrations in the first five months of 2016 were: metal products, plastic products, printing, non-metals and seed milling.

Mr Pasu says that to stimulate the economy and investment, the DIW will initiate programmes designed to assist SME factories. Tese include a three-year assistance fund of 45 million baht.