Industry Ministry to promote Thai SMEs with over Bt300 million budget

BANGKOK, 30 June 2009 (NNT) – The Ministry of Industry is prepared to invest about 300 million baht to develop Thai small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) ahead of the establishment of the ASEAN Community.

As a preparation of Thai SMEs for the ASEAN Community in order to gain benefit in the next 6 years, Industry Minister, Charnchai Chairungrueng, has assigned the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to carry out 4 projects under the budget of 287 million baht.

The projects include the prototype SME development to connect with the ASEAN region to uplift handicraft cluster to an international level, the coordination between large and small companies to expand their products worldwide, SME financial support, and SME network support. Initially, the Ministry of Industry will promote products in the categories of food, furniture, fashion, print, agricultural machines, construction materials, electrical appliances, and tourism services.

In addition, Mr. Charnchai has ordered the OSMEP to expedite all the projects, which will help solve the financial crisis as well.