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Published on January 23, 2008

Chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said the government had to focus on fostering national unity and coordinating the work of various ministries to ensure peak economic performance.

"The economic team will be important in rebuilding confidence in the nation," he said.

"I have learned that the coalition parties have approached outsiders to take the portfolios of the economic ministries. But I think certain requirements of the Constitution will make qualified persons think carefully about joining the government," he said.

"If Surapong [Suebwonglee] decides to become finance minister, he must have a capable and credible team to support him because he doesn't have experience in managing fiscal and monetary affairs," he added.

Businessmen interviewed by The Nation shared the view that the new economic team should operate transparently and synchronise policies with other agencies and the private sector.

The government should employ populist policies prudently if it wants to continue them to stimulate the grassroots economy.

"What concerns us most is political turmoil," said IRPC president Piti Yimprasert. "If politics is unsteady, it will be difficult to revive the economy."

Ideally, economic ministers should pursue the same vision embraced by business, he said, adding many foreign investors would like to come here but were not used to dealing with the bureaucratic complexities.

The Nation