Amidst the political confusion that has already slowed down the country's trade growth, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has instructed the Foreign Trade Department to continue restructuring.

The restructuring plan aims to promote trade and investment despite the current fraught situation.

Inspecting the department yesterday, Somkid said it should finish its restructuring plan in April. If this is the case, the restructured department will be ready to receive orders from the new government.

He said he would like to see the government and private sector continue to function in spite of the current political crisis.

"It is a shame that we have lost opportunities to increase trade growth via free-trade agreements, which have been suspended due to the political impasse," he said.

Hence he would like to ensure that all departments of the ministry continue to work hard and are ready to move on.

There are three layers that the department will focus on to push trade and investment growth. First, it must survey the private sector so that the ministry knows what companies need for the increase of trade and investment.

Next, it must modernise and regionalise offices under its control.

Finally, it must encourage state enterprises to do business abroad and match up Thai companies with foreign partners.

Director-General Rachane Potjanasuntorn said the department would smooth the way for private enterprises to increase exports and investment in overseas partnerships.

It will give special privileges to private enterprises, facilitate trading via e-auction and e-commerce and assign individual officials to tasks in specific regions.

For instance, within the next five years the Commerce Ministry wants to double trade and investment in the Middle East.

Also, she said, the department will encourage state enterprises to invest overseas as a first priority because they have more financial support. Then it will move on to promote small and medium-sized

enterprises.

Suggested state enterprises include PTT, Egat, Thai Airways International, the Port Authority of Thailand and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation