The Board of Investment (BoI) has partnered with Citi Thailand to strengthen efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), supporting Thailand's long-term economic growth.

With FDI inflows expected to remain strong in the coming years, strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important to support the BoI's operations, particularly given its workforce of around 300 staff.

Global partners can help expand the agency's international reach and attract investment from around the world, said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BoI.

He said the board is partnering with Citi Thailand to leverage the international networks of the global financial institution, enhancing its FDI promotion efforts. Citi operates in nearly 95 countries and has 180 business networks worldwide.

The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday to formalise their collaboration.

During the first half of 2026, investment applications submitted to the BoI, including both foreign and domestic projects, rose 37% year-on-year to 1.47 trillion baht across 1,299 projects.

FDI accounted for 1.37 trillion baht, a gain of 38%, driven largely by substantial investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, Mr Narit said.

Amid a rapidly evolving global investment landscape, shaped by heightened geopolitical tensions, the rise of AI, and supply chain realignment, international investors are increasingly seeking destinations that offer resilient supply chains, economic stability and strong investment fundamentals, he noted.

"Thailand is emerging as one of Southeast Asia's preferred investment destinations, supported by a well-developed system," said Mr Narit. "We expect positive momentum in FDI inflows to continue over the coming years, following record-high investment levels in each of the past several years."

The BoI is focusing on six new S-curve industries to attract investment and accelerate Thailand's transition to a future-oriented economy: the bio-economy and green industries; semiconductors and advanced electronics; electric vehicles and auto parts; AI and digital technologies; robotics, automation, and humanoid technologies; and regional headquarters for international companies.

"By combining the strengths of the BoI and Citi Thailand, we expect to attract more FDI, enhance the country's competitiveness, and support Thailand's long-term economic growth," he said.

Naruemon Chivangkur, country officer and banking head for Citi Thailand, said the BoI's targeted investment policies combined with Citi's global network and financial expertise would attract more foreign investment and strengthen Thailand's economic expansion.

"Amid intensifying regional competition for FDI, Thailand remains a key investment destination," Ms Naruemon said.

"In addition to the country's strong economic fundamentals, the continuity of investment policies by both the BoI and the Thai government is another important factor underpinning investor confidence."

She said Citi Thailand has been operating in the country for 60 years. Backed by decades of experience and a full range of financial solutions, the bank is well-positioned to support multinational clients expanding into Thailand.

Citi provides comprehensive cross-border banking solutions to facilitate complex international transactions, including trade finance, foreign exchange and treasury services. These capabilities help clients manage global cash flows efficiently and streamline their international operations, said Ms Naruemon.

In addition, the financial institution offers a full suite of domestic banking services, including working capital, liquidity management and cash management solutions, supported by direct connectivity to Thailand's digital payment infrastructure, enabling efficient, real-time transaction processing and optimised cash flows within the country.