Exporters plead for urgent COVID-19 aid measures

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Thai National Shippers’ Council is expecting Thailand’ export sector to continue suffering in Q1 2021 due to the escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and the world, urging the government to provide aid measures to keep export businesses and their employees afloat.

 

Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) Chairperson Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong, has projected Thailand’s 2020 export figure will finally be reported as shrinking by 6-7 percent, while hoping it will swing back to 3-4 percent growth this year, because of the export of food items, medical equipment such as rubber gloves, and work from home related items.

 

She said this projection however did not take into account the escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and partner countries, thus the TNSC has suggested the government must issue urgent measures within two months that can help the export sector achieve its growth projection.

 

The TNSC has suggested the government offer similar campaigns as in the original outbreak last year, or extend the validity of existing campaigns, reducing government agency fees, extending soft loan offers, postponing tax deadlines, reducing the social security contribution requirement for both employers and employees, as well as reducing utility fees to help businesses and the people.

 

The council has also pleaded with the Bank of Thailand to urgently issue measures to help affected businesses, by allowing government banks to proactively offer soft loans in the amount managed by the Bank of Thailand to businesses, while keeping the Thai Baht currency from appreciating.

 

In the long term, the TNSC has suggested the government continue introducing economic stimulation measures to help solve unemployment issues in the export and tourism sectors, accelerate the national digital economy’s transformation, streamline the processes required when contacting a government agency, promote Thailand as a hub of shipping container manufacture and maintenance, expedite Free Trade Agreement deals, and ensure the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-01-05

 

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