After a meeting of the Thai competitiveness development committee on 10 July government spokesman, Sita Divari, said that the committee has agreed in principle a proposal to establish a five billion baht (US$119 million) fund to help boost the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by facilitating access to sources of capital and boost their competitiveness.
Over the first 2 years the government and private sector will join together to invest capital of around 1-2 billion baht (US$23-47 million) in the fund, but that more money would be invested if demand proved high.
SMEs using the fund will have to have businesses worth at least 10 million baht (US$238,000). The committee will determine the criteria for access to the fund and will grant approval for successful enterprises.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
