Scheme to help small business operators launched
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Kasikornbank, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Association of Domestic Travel are launching a scheme to help small business operators in the financial and marketing areas as well as through training.
The scheme aims to draw 13,000 operators, who can file for financial assistance worth Bt4 billion. Applications can be filed through October 2012.
Pakorn Partanapat, executive vice president of KBank, said that hotel and restaurant operators can opt for a maximum of Bt15 million in overdraft loans, with or without collateral, as working capital. For the first three months, they are required to pay interest only. Loans to car and boat rental services could reach 120 per cent of collateral value, while a 100 per cent limit is imposed on loans to tour and souvenir businesses.
The bank will also help them market products in cooperation with Google (Thailand) for market placement and with Advanced Info Service Plc, which is providing free 500 SMS monthly. It will also educate operators in the restaurant, spa, tour and souvenir businesses about financial and account management, in cooperation with the Business Development Department.
Tourism business operators are invited to attend the bank's workshop from October 6 to 9, which is designed to prepare them for the Asean Economic Community.
Association of Domestic Travel President Maiyarat Pheerayakoses noted that such assistance would help these operators adjust to the changing business environment.
