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Published on March 26, 2008

"A few funds will be established to invest in SMEs with registered capital of about Bt35 million. The SMEs will undergo improvement in all aspects to be ready for listing on the MAI," OSMEP director-general Jitraporn Techacharn said yesterday.

Joining the effort are funds from Japan, China and Sweden, she told a seminar on "Lifting SMEs' Good Governance for Listing Purposes".

The funds worth Bt200 million-Bt300 million each would invest seven years in companies in the auto parts, food and food services, and energy industries.

The OSMEP's board of directors, chaired by Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti, is expected to approve the proposed investment in two months and if there is no problem, the search for potential SMEs could start late this year.

The OSMEP has also established a Bt500 million fund to enhance the competitiveness of local firms. It would invest Bt1 million-Bt100 million for seven years. About 20 companies are now undergoing screening. The targets are in the alternative energy, auto and fashion industries.

The number of SMEs would rise 1.76 per cent to 2.3 million this year, according to the OSMEP.

They would hire 7.28 million workers, up 2.48 per cent from last year. Their revenue would rise 3.45 per cent to Bt5.89 trillion.

However, their economic value would drop 21.56 per cent to Bt207.8 billion, while their productivity per head would slip 20.08 per cent to Bt53,000, due to internal and external factors.

The Nation