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Published on January 31, 2008

They expect to sign a memorandum of understanding next month, Osmep director-general Jhitraporn Techacharn said yesterday.

She said this would reduce overlapping responsibilities between Osmep and the ministry to promote SMEs in the global marketplace.

"The Commerce Ministry will help companies explore the business potential of countries, while Osmep will support funding and encourage research and development to develop their products for different markets," she said.

Export value from the SME sector is forecast to grow by 9.5 per cent from Bt1.5 trillion last year.

However, exports to the United States may fall slightly due to the economic slowdown following the US sub-prime mortgage meltdown. Last year, 15 per cent of all exports from SMEs went to the US.

She said exporters had opened up markets in other regions such as Australia, China, Canada, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Yesterday, Osmep and the Federation of Thai Industries held a ceremony to mark the end of the first phase of the SME Capabilities Replenishment Project.

A total of 44 businesses took part in the project. They were able to reduce their logistics costs by Bt22.29 million and boosted revenues by Bt23.98 million. Jhitraporn said Osmep would ask the government to provide funding to continue the second phase of the project next year.

"This project has been successful. In the past, the Q-Mark awards went mostly to major operators, but this year 20 SMEs have received the Q-Mark award to guarantee their products' quality," she added.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation