Briefs

The government has so far disbursed or is contractually committed to spending more than 50 per cent of its fiscal 2015 budget of Bt2.575 trillion, which is faster than the rate achieved in the same period last year, Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said yesterday.
About Bt1.503 trillion or 58.37 per cent of the budget has been disbursed since October 1, when the fiscal year began. A total of Bt163 billion or 36.21 per cent of the Bt449-billion investment budget has been disbursed, while Bt105 billion worth of investment contracts have been signed, but the funds for them have yet to be disbursed, he said.
“The sum of the investment budget that has been disbursed and the investment contracts that have been signed is equal to 59 per cent of the total investment budget. The government expects to disburse around 87-88 per cent of the investment budget by the end of the fiscal year,” he said.

PUSH FOR ONLINE TRADING
The Information and Communications Technology Ministry yesterday outlined urgent measures to help SMEs to go online as part of its promotion of “digital economy” policy.
It will promote the use of online channels by small and medium-sized enterprises to run businesses through encouraging them to use e-invoice systems and e-commerce, as well as overhauling their operations to conduct e-transactions fully.
Moreover, it will encourage them to develop the e-supply chain, promote digital entrepreneurs, and join with the private sector to promote the digital-content industry.
The ad hoc National Digital Economy Committee has set a goal of getting at least 20,000 SMEs to adopt the online trading system fully within three years.

NEW EXEC BOARD CHAIR
The Pacific Asia Travel Association has announced the election of Kevin Murphy – president and CEO of Asiawide Hospitality Solutions (AHS), Hong Kong SAR & Thailand – as chairman of the PATA executive board.
He replaces Scott Supernaw, who served as chairman since April 2013 and will remain on the executive board as PATA immediate past chairman. On his appointment, Murphy said: “I take up this responsibility at a time of continuing change, and at a time of continuing challenges. PATA is clearly alive but we need to ensure that PATA keeps its place as ‘the authority on travel and tourism in Asia-Pacific’ and continues to support its members both in the public and private sectors.”