Workshop on Climate Financing: Clean Technology Fund and the Role of the Private Sector   Opening Remarks Krairit Nilkuka (doc 39kb) Climate Change Connection to Profitability Jitendra Shah (ppt 413kb)      The Alternative Energy Development Plan (2008-2022) Rangsan Sarojchawikasit (ppt 1,711kb)      Views from the Private Sector: Policy, Technical and Financial Barriers to Clean Energy Investments Natee Sitthiprasat (ppt 2,412kb)      Introduction to CTF for Thailand Rohit Khanna(ppt 198 kb)      Leveraging the CTF to Stimulate Low Carbon Investments in Thailand Calvin Xu (ppt 1,499kb)     Possible Modalities for Government Support for Private Clean Energy Investments through CTF Tomoko Matsukawa (ppt 174kb) Jie Tang (ppt 233kb)       Samples of CTF Investment Plans Turkey Mexico Egypt     Closing remarks Dr.Weerawat Chantanakome (doc 23kb)      Contacts: Jitendra Shah (02) 686-8360 jshah@worldbank.org Jie Tang (02) 686-8374 jtang@worldbank.org    Pichaya Fitts (02) 686-8324 pfitts@worldbank.org

The World Bank and the International Finance Corp. (IFC) joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a three-day mission this month to identify opportunities for Clean Technology Fund (CTF) investments in Thailand.

The mission was requested by the Thai government, led by the Ministry of Finance. The idea came up during Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij’s discussions with senior World Bank officials in Washington DC last April.

CTF helps developing countries curb carbon emissions and switch to clean technologies. It also helps poor countries adapt to climate change.

CTF is one of the two trust funds under the $6.1 billion Climate Investment Fund, set up in 2008 with donations from 10 industrialized nations. The Fund will invest in projects and programs in three areas that contribute to the demonstration, deployment, and transfer of low-carbon technologies. (So far the CTF received $5.2 billion in pledges).

CTF is a highly concessional financing, offering interest rates of 0.25 and 0.75 percent for 20 and 40 years. However, CTF lending has to be combined with other financial instruments, such as grants, concessional loans, or risk guarantees, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,  the ADB or the IFC.

The Thai government requested the joint mission to help concerned government agencies identify projects that are eligible for CTF financing. These projects will be part of the country’s CTF investment plan, which will be in line with the National Strategy on Climate Change Management  and the government’s renewable energy as well as energy efficiency strategies. Thailand could be eligible for up to $300 million in CTF financing. 

Once finalized and approved by appropriate authorities, the CTF Investment Plan will be submitted to the CTF Trust Fund Committee later this year with a request for financing.

After the Committee’s approval, the multilateral development banks involved will assist the government with project preparation. They will also provide technical assistance during project implementation, building on international experience.

During the mission, delegates met with the Minister of Energy, Dr. Wannarat Charnnukul, and senior as well as technical officials at the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), the Ministry of Transport, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.

On July 15, the delegates also introduced the CTF to business leaders, government officials, and representatives of private as well as state-owned financial institutions in a workshop. Later that day, a wrap-up meeting for government officials and development partners took place at the Fiscal Policy Office. It was chaired by Khun Pongpanu Svetarundra, Director-General of the PDMO.