Panel pushes for higher credit guarantee for SMEs
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking said it wants the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to increase its maximum loan guarantee for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) from 30 per cent to 50 per cent so banks are encouraged to give out loans.
The boost in loan guarantee will also give SMEs easier access to soft loans, for which the Bank of Thailand has set aside Bt500 billion.
This issue was discussed on Wednesday (September 9) during a committee meeting, Federation of Thai Industries chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said.
He added that if SMEs are granted loans now, they will be able to survive and make repayments two years after the end of the Covid-19 outbreak.
He also called on state agencies to speed up the disbursement of payments to SMEs that have completed their state contracts. He said these contractors should be paid within 30 days of completing their jobs, instead of having to wait for two to four months.
