Three tough challenges await Srirat as Commerce Ministry chief
Srirat Rastapana is set to take over at the helm of the Commerce Ministry at a particularly difficult time, as three major challenges - the cost of living, sagging exports, and the rice-pledging scheme - await her arrival.
Due to start her new job as the ministry’s permanent secretary on October 1, Srirat – currently chief of the Trade Negotiations Department – will have to pay immediate and close attention to the three main issues that have haunted her predecessor, Vatchari Vimooktayon.
The ministry has been attacked for its inability to control food prices, though inflation in general is well below 3 per cent.
Meanwhile, Thailand may not be able to achieve the ministry’s export-growth target of 7-7.5 per cent for the year, as exports expanded by just 1 per cent during the first eight months.
Then there is the rice-pledging programme, for which the authorities continue to face criticisism for the widespread corruption and huge financial losses resulting from the scheme.
Retiring next Monday, Vatchari urged her successor to promote OTOP (One Tambon One Product) items, particularly in overseas markets, as well as oversee domestic consumer-goods prices and pursue further penetration of new export markets.
Trade barriers should be tackled as well, while Thailand should also cash in on benefits under free-trade agreements in order to boost exports, she said.
Yet, Vatchari sees fewer worries from the rice-pledging scheme, saying that all parties involved are trying to plug the corruption holes.
"I am ready for my retirement. Now, I will have time to relax and to work for the benefit of society. I can also devote some time to helping public and private organisations that have approached me," she added.
Senior reshuffle
Aside from the appointment of Srirat to the top post, the Cabinet also approved a reshuffle of senior officials at the Commerce Ministry.
The heads of a number of key departments are being changed, although the new directors-general of the Trade Negotiations Department and the Intellectual Property Department will not be named until next week.
Two new deputy permanent secretaries – Vuthichai Duangratana and Urawee Ngowroongrueng – have been named. Vuthichai has been an inspector-general at the ministry, while Urawee was previously a legal adviser.
Current deputy permanent secretary Nuntawan Sakuntanaga is being made director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department.
Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa – director-general of the Internal Trade Department
