Bangkok: Krungthai COMPASS Research Center views the China-Laos high-speed rail project and the development of the northeastern region as The "Economic Center of the Mekong Subregion" supports development and investment in the Northeast. Estimated in the next 5 years (2024-2028), it is expected that there will be investment capital of approximately 760 billion baht. Entrepreneurs are advised to seize business opportunities. Dr. Pacharapoj Nantharamas, Executive Vice President and Chief Economist of Krung Thai Bank, revealed that at present the China-Laos high-speed railway Has provided full transportation services for both passengers and goods on the Kunming-Vientiane route. This will have a direct positive effect on trade and investment in the northeastern region of Thailand. It is an area connected to the high-speed train route. Meanwhile, the government sector has prepared to support the economy in the region. It is expected that investment in the next 5 years will be approximately 760 billion baht, divid ed into 640 billion baht from government investment in the development of large-scale transportation infrastructure such as high-speed rail and railways. and airports, as well as investments in promoting tourism, border trade, smart cities. industrial estate and special economic zones and money from private investment is expected to follow at least another 120 billion baht. Dr. Supree Srisamran, Senior Analyst, Krungthai COMPASS Research Center, said that from a study and assessment of potential provinces in the Northeast region, it was found that 6 provinces, namely Udon Thani, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Bueng Kan, are groups of provinces that have the potential to grow from invest To prepare for the economic expansion of the region and trade and investment that will expand further in the next period. The 5 outstanding businesses that are opportunities are 1. Construction 2. Logistics (Logistics) 3. Auto Dealer (Auto Dealer) 4. Oil and Gas (Oil and Gas) and 5. Hospital and Health Car e ( Healthcare), these businesses will be the driving force for development in 3 main areas that will occur in the coming period: 1. Transportation infrastructure that is currently under construction and that will occur in the future, namely the double-track railway on the Ban Phai-Nakhon Phanom route. and the Khon Kaen-Nong Khai route High-speed train route Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai Mukdahan Airport 2. Tourism includes medical tourism. Especially in Khon Kaen which has a hospital with international service quality Including faith tourism Especially in Udon Thani and Bueng Kan and 3. Investment, including Udon Thani Industrial Estate. Nakhon Phanom Special Economic Zone Khon Kaen Smart City Advise entrepreneurs to prepare for services and personnel. Including preparing in dimensions related to the environment, such as reducing PM 2.5 dust, studying green logistics (Green Logistics), which these preparations will lead to environmentally friendly and sustainable development. future Meanwhile, the governme nt should accelerate the plan to develop the transportation network in the northeastern region linked to the China-Laos high-speed rail. Including promoting investment in the Northeast Special Economic Corridor. (Northeastern Economic Corridor: NeEC), which will be an important variable that helps support more trade and investment in the northeastern region Source: Thai News Agency