Mingkwan focuses on modernisation

"We have to think out of the box. Some of our policies may be totally changed in order to stay competitive in the global market," he told senior officials.

The first mission is to attract foreign investment. He insisted that a "Thailand Investment Year" campaign would be contin¬ued.

"It's time to bring back foreign direct investment seriously as a huge amount flew to our neighbouring countries in the past few years," he said.

Mingkwan plans to revolutionise each department and the Board of Investment in formulating new strategic policies to support investment.

"I will meet and discuss each industry's situation with the Thai Industries Federation because I would like to set priorities for each industry," he said.

Meanwhile, he will concentrate on promoting governmenttogovernment collaboration such as the exchange of natural resources and technology transfer with countries such as Chile.

Policies on alternative energy and the automotive industry will be finalised as soon as possible, Mingkwan added.

Another idea is to set up a fund to boost competitiveness and to create an innovative society in the industrial sector.

"These are all my ideas on my first day here. I am turning my thinking mode from commerce to industry. However, our direc¬tion is to change our industries to be comparable with other countries," said the former commerce minister.