4 committees to boost trade
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Panels to be set up with Board of Trade on 2015 exports, economy
The Commerce Ministry has joined forces with the Board of Trade in setting up four working committees to boost trade and economic activities, for both the domestic and overseas markets next year.
After a meeting with the Board of Trade, Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya said yesterday that the government would work closely with the private sector in drawing up economic stimulus plans, as well as solving trading problems.
The four working committees include one tasked with planning international trade promotion strategies, one to draw out promotional measures for domestic trade, one to boost cross-border trade, and a fourth to distribute goods in the home market.
“The working committees would focus on solving trade-related problems and promoting growth next year as demand by the private sector,” Chatchai said.
The committees would help promote trade growth in both short and long terms. A bi-monthly meeting would be held between government officials and representatives from the private sector.
Previously, the government and business relied on the public-private joint standing committee, chaired by the prime minister, as an intermediary to communicate and solve trade problems. However, the joint panel was found to be inflexible and slow in solving problems and it rarely called meetings.
Board of Trade chairman Isara Vongkusolkit said the working committee to drive international trade should be able to increase the volume of shipments next year.
It will focus on driving Thai exports to the emerging markets, such as Asean, China, and India, as well as finding new potential markets.
These four working committees will strive for sustainable trade growth. The first joint meeting should be called next month.
For the distributions of cheap products in the domestic market, major corporations such as CP All, Central Retail Group, and Tesco Lotus will cooperate with the Commerce Ministry.
This will help reduce the cost of living for consumers, as well as clearing up stocks for manufacturers and traders, Isara added.
