UOB Thailand and EECO to help international companies evaluate opportunities in EEC Capital City
First bank to connect regional and global investment into Thailand's flagship business and innovation hub
UOB Thailand and EECO announced a strategic collaboration to support investment and development opportunities in EEC Capital City. Pictured are Richard Maloney, President and CEO, UOB Thailand (centre left), and Dr Chula Sukmanop, Secretary General, EECO (centre right), with witnesses Vira-anong C. Phutrakul, Deputy CEO and Country Function Head of Wholesale Banking, UOB Thailand (far left), and Korthong Thongtham na Ayutthaya, Acting Director of the EEC Capital City Division, EECO (far right).
Bangkok, 8 October 2026 - Companies weighing where to build, expand and source across ASEAN now have a banking route into one of Thailand's most significant development projects. UOB Thailand and the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) today announced a strategic collaboration to attract investment to EEC Capital City and help businesses evaluate the opportunities there.
The timing reflects a shift in investor thinking. As companies diversify supply chains and look for new growth markets, they are asking for more than incentives and infrastructure. They want market connectivity, access to ecosystems and a credible path to long-term growth. EEC Capital City or known as EECiti, a THB1.1 trillion mixed-use business city bringing together international business, innovation, advanced industries, healthcare and education, is designed to offer exactly that.
Under the collaboration, UOB Thailand and EECO will promote EEC Capital City to investors through joint knowledge-sharing initiatives, business networking platforms, investor engagement activities, and market intelligence exchange. UOB's regional network will connect companies across ASEAN and greater China with opportunities arising from EEC Capital City's development. Investor roundtable is planned for the upcoming months with businesses from key ASEAN markets invited.
Mr Richard Maloney, President and CEO of UOB Thailand, said "Businesses choosing where to grow look at incentives, but they also look at connectivity and who can help them get started. Our role is to help companies make informed decisions, and to make the first conversation easier. Through this collaboration with EECO, we aim to bridge investor interest with real business opportunities, connecting regional and international companies to Thailand's next phase of economic development.
As a regional bank with deep connectivity across ASEAN, UOB is well positioned to support companies exploring growth opportunities in Thailand and the wider region. We believe EEC Capital City has the potential to become an important destination for businesses seeking to establish a presence at the heart of ASEAN's growth."
Mr Chula Sukmanop, Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office, said "EECiti is being developed as a future-ready business and innovation hub that supports Thailand's ambition to attract high-value investment and strengthen its competitiveness on the global stage. Collaborations with trusted partners such as UOB will help connect investors with opportunities and contribute to building a vibrant ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth."
UOB brings a longstanding track record in cross-border expansion through its Foreign Direct Investment Advisory Unit (FDIA), which helps companies identify growth opportunities, connect with partners and navigate new markets across ASEAN. Since the establishment of FDI Advisory unit in 2011, the Bank has supported over 500 companies expanding into Thailand, generating more than THB80 billion in projected foreign investments and creating over 50,000 meaningful job opportunities.
