Briefs

Under the revised government scheme, the cards will be able to be used for buying fuel as well as seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

Luck said PTT and Bangchak promised a discount for farmers, and were in the process of modifying their credit-card systems to welcome the farmer cards.

Still, despite the extension of products that can be bought with the cards, the maximum credit line of each holder will remain capped at 60-80 per cent of annual revenue estimates from their crops. Clients with good track records will win credit lines of up to 80 per cent.

"The extension should not cause financial problems, as most of them are good clients," he said.

Suu Kyi to address labour meet

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has announced that Aung San Suu Kyi, general secretary of the National League for Democracy in Myanmar, - will attend the 101st International Labour Conference.

Suu Kyi has accepted the invitation of ILO director-general Juan Somavia to address the plenary of the conference on the morning of June 14.

The conference will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 30 to June 15. It will bring together more than 4,000 government, union and employer delegates from the ILO’s 183 member states.

Blacklist for greedy middlemen

The Commerce Ministry plans to blacklist middlemen under the Trade and Service Price Act if they are found to be conducting unfair practices.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom said the ministry was studying the cost structures of 20 essential goods. It will also monitor traders closely for unfair practice or marking up retail prices too high. If any are found to be doing so, the ministry will revoke their trading licences.

The ministry’s Internal Trade Department has found that some middlemen have marked up retail prices very high, enjoying profit margins of more than 50 per cent. The department will complete its study within the next few weeks. Priority products are fresh foods such as pork and vegetables. – The Nation