Problems relating to Trade and Investment on Thailand

8. Investment recipient organization
Issue	Issue details	Requests	Reference

(1) Delayed Import Approval Procedures under BOI Incentives	- It takes too long (more than 30-business-days) from filing application to grant of approval on BOI incentives. As a result MFS must get equipment and parts first cleared through the customs, before the grant of approval on BOI incentives, by putting up bank guarantee or in cash, pay import duty and VAT, and later file request for refund. (as of 2014)By now, thanks to operation start of paperless system, the lead time has been abridged for certain imports (such as jigs and mold tools).	- It is requested that BOI: -- streamlines and electronically process the BOI incentive procedures, and -- expedites the process to the point of BOI approval. (as of 2014) => Paperless system has been introduced. Its operation partially begun has been expedited.	- Board of Investment - Import Procedures under Operation of BOI Incentives
	(Action) - Due to the political instability began on 1 November 2013, such as political demonstrations, there was a delay in newly nominating some members of BOI, whose term had expired by the end of last year, delaying the BOI's issuance of approvals on new investments. - On 7 June 2014, Thailand National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) nominated the 18-new BOI Members, directing Ministry of Industry to cut down from 90-days to 30-days the examination period for the approval (Ror Ngor 4) of the factory operation. - On 9 March 2015, BOI promulgated "Announcement No. Sor. 1/2558 re: Additional Amendment of Eligible Activities for Investment Promotion in accordance with the BOI Announcement No. 2/2558" with the view to enhance the practical beneficial effect of its investment promotion policy, as regards filing of complaint on BOI's decisions, tariff incentives, and new establishment of respective subcommittees.
	(Improvement) - On 7 June 2014, The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOT), at its First Meeting, approved the outstanding BOI' Project (relative to motor-vehicles, steel products, electronics industries, etc.)

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