Agencies sign cooperation MoU to boost potential of tourism SMEs

Anan Wongbenjarat, director-general of the Tourism Department, which is part of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said the three agencies were teaming up to strengthen tourism small and medium-sized enterprises under the government’s “Pracha Rath” policy.
Presiding at the MoU signing ceremony were Deputy Industry Minister Somchai Harnhirun, Industry Ministry permanent secretary Pasu Loharjun, and Tourism and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Pongpanu Svetarundra.
The MoU was signed by Anan on behalf of the Tourism Department; Pornthep Karnsub, Industry Ministry inspector and representative from the Pracha Rath SMEs Fund; and Mongkol Leelatham, president of SME Development Bank.
Under the agreement, the three agencies will launch joint activities to strengthen tourism SMEs and related businesses, so that they can access the Pracha Rath SMEs Fund and other services from SME Development Bank.
Anan said his department would assist the SMEs by giving them support on tourism information and public relations, and by providing links for tourists to gain access to community-based tourist attractions and the Creative Industry Village, which are supported by the Industry Ministry and SME Development Bank.
In addition, the Tourism Department will support tourism SMEs, as clients of SME Development Bank, and the target groups of the Industry Ministry with activities, speakers and experts in various fields, in order to help them develop community-based tourism and improve services to meet the Thailand Tourism Standard, he explained.