More than 110 enterprises, including four domestic businesses, invested US$208 billion in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), under the Special Economic Zone Law, as of 10 July in the current fiscal year, state media reported.

Singapore topped the list of foreign investors, accounting for more than 37 per cent of the overall investment, followed by Japan and Thailand. FDI also flowed into the SEZs from the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, the UK, the UAE, Malaysia, Austria, China (Taipei), Panama, China, Brunei, Viet Nam, Australia, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Currently, 74 businesses are operational in the Thilawa SEZ and 18 businesses are beginning to export goods. The SEZ is employing over 20,000 workers, including permanent and construction workers, according to the management committee.