Fresh ideas needed in mom-and-pop debate

Why is the discussion surrounding this issue always negative? Why does everyone pretend that banning superstores is the only way to ensure the survival of small local stores when plainly that is not the case? Europe has had supermarkets for 50 years and all over Europe thousands of small local retailers successfully trade alongside them.

In their recent book "Thai Capital After the 1997 Crisis", Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker cite the experience of traders in Phrae when faced with the prospect of a superstore being built in their town. Instead of the usual calls for government protection they decided to act positively. They improved the look of their stores, introduced promotions and a loyalty reward scheme and the result was that their own business actually increased and Tesco's market share was limited to about 30 per cent, roughly half of what they get in other locations.

Why can't the government promote the idea of a cooperative scheme (but on no account run it themselves) and provide finance packages for local retailers to upgrade their stores and compete with the superstores? That way the consumer's range of choice is widened, nobody has to be banned and we don't have to have to this endless argument.

Dom Dunn

Dublin

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Dubai World CEO only trying to help deep South

Re: "Money alone can't solve South's woes", Editorial, May 26.

Your editorial manipulates the statement of Dubai World CEO Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who said, "In our view, building economic stability is a key to creating political stability".

The Nation's condescending response to this reasonable statement? "No one knows who brewed Sulayem's tea but he should have known better than to think that there is such a thing as a cure-all for such a complex problem".

 Sulayem did not make the slightest suggestion that job creation will stop the conflict. He never claimed that this was the key or the solution, but simply stated the obvious fact that regional development is one key factor in stabilising the South.

No one denies that insurgencies have multiple causes, very much in common with other conflicts. The economy is one factor. Xenophobic and foolish denial of language rights is another factor. Inter-agency conflict is yet another, as is a historic perception of illegitimate rule, etc.

Important government and corporate sector entities from the Gulf States, such as Dubai World or the recent trade proposals from Saudi Arabia or the positive contributions from Qatar and Kuwait, demonstrate genuine interest in contributing to stability in the South. They make no claims of a final solution, but wish to invest in and develop regional infrastructure, which is surely a crucial factor in slowing down the conflict.

Dr Joseph D Reilly

Bangkok