Thai authorities are in talks with China-based CATL, the world’s biggest electric vehicle battery maker, and others to build production facilities in the country to fuel its EV production hub ambitions, according to the head of the Board of Investment (BoI).
The discussions come as the country pushes to become a key player in the global EV supply chain outside of China by offering tax cuts and subsidies to drive adoption and production of green
vehicles.
“We are talking to many companies, not only CATL but many companies in the battery industry,” Narit Therdsteerasukdi said on Wednesday.
“This is one of our goals — that we would like to attract battery cell producers to set up their factory in Thailand.”
Mr Narit did not give details and it was not clear how advanced the discussions were.
CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CATL, the world’s dominant battery supplier with a 37% market share, currently has no production facilities in Southeast Asia, its website shows.
Based in Ningde, Fujian, the company last year announced a strategic collaboration with a subsidiary of PTT Plc to “explore potential cooperation and development opportunities in battery-related business” in the region.
Source: Reuters
