Business wish list for Abhisit govt

Chaiyos Sincharoenkul, executive director of Sritrang Agro Industry in Hat Yai, said the Abhisit government must be thorough in appointing economic ministers who know their jobs, so that quick action could be taken. He urged inviting outsiders who were capable and could win public acceptance.

"It would be better if the ministers were acceptable to the foreign community," he said.

Chaiyos said if the government welcomed respected members, it would be easier for prime minister-elect Abhisit to restore confidence among the foreign community during the 14th Asean Summit.

"There are many talented Thais who are willing to help the nation, but these people must be fully independent," he said.

Northeastern Tapioca Trade Association president Pramote Kongthong suggested the new government inject liquidity into the system to help business operators, or else they might have to lay off workers. He said it was crucial for the new government to resolve conflicts, as that would pave way for new investment.

Chatchai Kosavisutte, executive chairman of the Kosa Hotel in Khon Kaen and president of the Isaan Hotel Association, said urgent measures were needed to revive the tourism industry. He suggested a 50-per-cent cut in all related taxes and fees to help cut hotel operators' expenses, because the global economic slowdown would further reduce the number of tourists next year. His hotel is expected to register a 25-per-cent annualised drop in revenue this year. He said government assistance was necessary because hotels in the Northeast relied heavily on convention-related revenue but that now both government agencies and private companies had reduced spending on meetings.