Tycoons happy to help boost growth
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Thailand's four leading enterprises - Thai Beverage, Charoen Pokphand Group, Central Group, and Sahaphat, have backed the government's economic stimulus plan that aims to help grassroots people, as it would help strengthen the country's economic growth, C
After meeting the heads of those four companies, who are leaders in food and beverage, consumer goods, and retail businesses, Chatchai said that private enterprises were delighted with the government’s economic policies and had promised to cooperate in promoting growth.
It was the first meeting between the Commerce Ministry and leading private companies to discuss economic issues and exchange ideas on stimulating business.
Chatchai said the government explained that it would have both short-term and long-term measures – from three months to one year – to promote growth and prepare for the Asean integration.
He said the government had asked for their cooperation to support the reform plan and help strengthen economic growth.
Key issues
Five key issues were discussed. The first was promoting the agricultural sector for long-term development. The government will encourage farmers and private enterprises to focus on producing products that are chemical free, as that would help ensure stable incomes for farmers in the long run.
Second, the ministry pointed out that amid the recovering economic growth, Thailand needed to ensure that prices for goods would be maintained. The private sector could cooperate to ensure smooth economic recovery by fixing their prices if they agreed, Chatchai said.
He said private enterprises agreed with the plan to help boost the income of farmers by not intervening in the market.
Third, the government has called on private enterprises to support cross-border trading, as it is a key engine for driving the economy.
Fourth, the ministry explained that the government would also emphasise logistical development, which would help reduce logistics costs for companies.
Finally, the ministry assured that it would support the amendment and implement many business laws that would help facilitate business growth.
Chatchai said with strong support from the private sector, he was confident that the Thai economy would continue to see sustainable growth.
Thai shipments this year would not face a negative growth, as there were clearer signs of export recovery in the final quarter of the year, he said.
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, owner of ThaiBev, said he was happy to talk with the government, as the link between the private sector and the government would help facilitate and promote economic growth, particularly for grassroots people.
Tos Chirathivat, chairman of the executive committee and CEO of Central Group, said closer cooperation between the government and the private sector was a good thing. He expected to see closer collaboration in the future.
