Joint private-sector body proposes 7 strategies for 11th development plan

The office of National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) held a workshop for the private and public sectors on the issue. Representatives from five private-sector institutions – the Federation of the Thai Industries (FTI), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), the Thai Bankers’ Association, the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations and the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) – joined the workshop.

Pongsak Assakul, chairman of the Joint Standing Committee and of the TCC, said the committee had formulated seven strategies for the 11th NESDP.

The first strategy goes to strengthening the agricultural sector with a target to increase the share of farm and agriculture-industry products to no less than 16 per cent of gross domestic product. On energy crops, daily use of ethanol is targeted to rise to 6.2 million litres and that of biodiesel to 3.6 million litres by 2016.

The second strategy is to strengthen the industrial sector so it can produce goods to meet market demand and gain international competitiveness without environmental impacts. Clusters for promotion include rubber, rubber wood, automotive products, green energy and health products.

The third is tourism promotion and development with a target to generate annual revenue of Bt2 trillion by 2015. Sustainable tourism and more competent personnel are targets.

Somsong Satjaphimuk, acting TCT president, urged the government to budget about Bt1 billion annually for research and development to meet the various demands of tourists. She expects to receive proposals on such support after the election of tourism development committees in eight provinces, as proposed earlier.

The fourth strategy is development of the transport and logistics network with an aim to lower logistics costs to no more than 11.5 per cent of GDP.

The fifth is trade and investment promotion, particularly establishment of business councils with neighbouring countries for collaboration and information exchange. The Joint Standing Committee is moving ahead on Thailand-Cambodia and Thailand-Vietnam business councils to facilitate cross-border business activities.

The sixth strategy is promotion of Thai investment in other countries, particularly Asean members, with the proposed establishment of an agency to provide in-depth information for overseas investment.

The seventh is the development of human resources for a learning society to enhance Thais’ capability and morality. This could be done through improvement of teachers, learning formulas and teaching materials.

FTI chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol cited uncertainties and discontinuity of government policies as among the hindrances to the private sector implementing the public sector’s plans. He said the government might have to promote the agricultural, tourism, logistics and green industries to gain competitiveness as described in the 11th NESDP.

Narongchai Akrasanee, chairman of a subcommittee on driving the 11th NESDP, said three targets for its implementation were cultural enhancement, wealth creation, and a green society.

NESDB secretary-general Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the 11th NESDP was mainly driven by joint execution among the public and private sectors and citizens. The board saw the private sector as the leader in proposing ideas, and the main driver of this plan.