He plans to propose that senior officials keep facilitating the project while private firms take responsibility for its operation.

The project aims to boost the competitiveness of Thailand's fashion industry by developing its production, human resources and marketing.

His idea is that operators in industries such as textiles, garments, jewellery and leather run the project by themselves, with partial financial support from the public sector.

Pramode said the Industrial Promotion Department had too little budget to support the whole project.

The department will support only the production segment, while it will ask the Commerce Ministry, Tourism and Sports Ministry and Education Ministry to help operators in terms of developing human resources and marketing strategies.

"I would be so ashamed if the project was ended. I won't close our office, although the government will hardly support the project," Pramode said.

A Chulalongkorn University survey showed that attitudes towards Thai fashion were more positive and respondents believed Thailand would be able to be a fashion hub in Asia.

Pramode said it was important to boost competitiveness in the face of tough competition from Vietnam and China.

He added that the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership was an opportunity for operators to export to Japan. He will hold talks with two Japanese companies next month.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

 The Nation