The Cabinet yesterday gave its approval for the Thai Trade Representative Office (TTR) to be scrapped to reduce job duplication and reduce staff levels.

Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras said the approval came after Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet put forward the proposal, reasoning that the ministry had already covered the TTR's tasks.

"The Commerce Minister was familiar with the office's duties as he had been a trade representative. Its abolishment was seen as the best choice to reduce job duplication," he said.

Kosit, who is also chairman of the Public Service Development Commission, said the shutting down of the TTR would not have any effects on other government agencies.

The TTR was set up by theformer government to boost the country's exports.

However, there were a number of comments that the office was established to reward some politicians who had helped the Thai Rak Thai Party win the election, a source said.

The source added that the Commerce Ministry had taken over responsibility for both marketing and export policy to help meet the country's export goals.

In addition, the ministry has taken on the management of more than 50 Thai Trade Centres around the world to collect not only trade data but also solve exporters' problems.

The Cabinet also agreed to restructure the operational organisation of government agencies and set up new offices where necessary to facilitate the government's administrative functions. In addition, other ministers will be invited to comment on the restructuring plan.

To implement the plan, the Cabinet has also agreed to set up a Service Delivery Unit devoted to providing more co-ordination between ministries.

For instance, the Tourism and Sports Ministry has proposed the setting up of a national tourism development institute in conjunction with the Social Development and Human Security Department to establish an Asia-Pacific Disabled Development Training Centre.

Also, some ministries have proposed setting up public organisations to train their officials and help improve their performance.

Meanwhile, the Information and Communication Technology Ministry has also proposed establishing seven new departments - information technology and communication promotion office, information technology and communication research and development office, mapping and exploration department, electronic business commission, communication department, the government electronic office, and information technology inspection commission.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation