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The total budget for state enterprises was set at Bt478.6 billion, of which Bt237.14 billion are for investment.

Of the total investment budget, Bt204.09 billion are for projects ready for investment and Bt33.04 billion are for projects waiting to be approved by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet instructed ministries overseeing all state enterprises to take into consideration the policy recommendations of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

The ministries have been recommended to pursue restructuring of loss-ridden state enterprises. In addition, the state enterprises have to adjust their investments to be in step with key government policies such as logistics development and energy policy.

The investment budget for this year is Bt289.756 billion.

The investment budget for next year is lower as it does not include projects still under consideration, including Thai Airways's plan to procure 20 aircraft, and also the double track rail-construction project of the State Railways of Thailand.

The NESDB also suggested that state enterprises should focus on developing the skills of their personnel and promote R&D in their organisation.

Moreover, they should urgently finish selecting board members and the management of some state enterprises. Many state enterprises have failed to work efficiently due to lack of board directors and some management.

The Cabinet targets that 90 per cent of the state enterprises' investment budget next year will be disbursed.

The Cabinet was also informed that the projected net profit of state enterprises next year would be Bt79.197 billion.