Academics Called In To Help Revive Economy

[george]

Academics called in to help revive economy

BANGKOK: -- The government today initiated a rare bit of dialogue between the state and academia when Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak called on the deans of universities nationwide to act as a ‘brain bank’ to help the government revive the nation’s economy and grassroots production.

Mr. Somkid, who made the plea to university deans during their annual meeting, spoke of the government’s need to use the knowledge base represented by academia to help develop the nation.

In particular, the government wants to see academics act as advisors to the new breed of CEO-style provincial governors and district officials, to help develop clusters of provinces which would work together on tourism promotions.

Academics are also being asked to develop agricultural products to ensure that they meet the needs of the market, and to determine which crops are not financially worthwhile to cultivate.

Likening farm subsidies to a chronic cancer faced by the government, the finance minister stressed the need for academics to help make agricultural production more efficient.

He also noted the need for supporting data from academic institutions on research into the adjustment of production structures and export marketing offensives, which would help boost Thailand’s competitive edge.

Admitting that information from government departments was often lacking in clarify, he said that assistance from academia would help the government make clear and effective plans for the next five years.

--TNA 2005-04-23

[Erwin1011]

Combine this with the control on pork price, the plan to have tourist spent more, the lacklustre sales in alcoholand the government asking to market to lower incomes...

me think that some people in the government start feeling the heat..

the economy is not going the way Mr. T was hoping for...internal strife within the party..

How long you bet it will all last? 10 to 1 says he will not make a second full term. the effects of the first term actions starts haunting...

[bambob]

there's a shortage of fresh BGs coming on the scene so maybe they could draft in a 50,000 new recruits

[haha]

the man is trying. I admire him for his strength.