The trade ministry is hosting a workshop with private firms today to brainstorm and assess ways to push Thai exports. The agency also plans to request 1.2 billion baht in state budget to solve high living costs and farm product price drops.

Today, Commerce Minister Pornthiwa Nakasai presided over an operational meeting with exporters to listen to suggestions, assess the situation, and set the export target for 2009.

Many business associations and operators attended the brainstorming session including the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai Bankers' Association, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the Thai Food Processors' Association, the Thai Rice Exporters Association, the Thai Fresh Fruit Traders and Exporters Association, the Thai Furniture Industries Association, the Thai Toy Industry Association, the Thai Footwear Association, the Thai Automotive Industry Association, the Iron and Steel Institute of Thailand, PTT Chemical Public Company, and the Thai Exhibition Association.

President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Chukiat Opaswong said he will propose that the government revise the allocation of rice in its stocks by using the government-to-government or G2G basis instead of the bidding system, to lower obstructions that block price setting for export rice and to prevent corruption.

Chukiat added that he will ask the state to supervise the baht exchange rate to keep it in line with the movement of other currencies. He reasoned that governments of several nations such as South Korea and Vietnam have depreciated their currencies to help boost exports, which has affected Thailand's competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Internal Trade Department Director-general, Yanyong Puangrat disclosed that the agency will request a budget of 1.2 billion baht from the Cabinet, and use it to solve the drop in farm product prices and high living costs for the public.

Yanyong said the state is trying to distribute farm products directly to consumers, so he will consult with retail store operators tomorrow on whether the issue can be applied, while a workshop with related agents in the agricultural and consumer product industries will be organised next week to discuss the production cost structure and a way to help reduce the public's living expenses. Two working committees will be appointed to monitor the situation.

Source: TNA