'war room' for industry

Permanent secretary Damri Sukhotanang yesterday said the war room would help officials gather information from manufacturers and solve each industry's problems more efficiently.

He said officials had divided the problems faced by the industrial sector into three. First, those requiring the revision of laws and regulations in order to provide more convenience for investors and manufacturers.

Second, those on which the Industry Ministry will spend the mid-year fiscal budget of Bt9 billion on solving urgent problems. These include restoring investor confidence and providing training and new jobs for laid-off workers.

Lastly, longer-term problems, which will be discussed and later incorporated into policies.

Payungsak Chartsutipol, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said it had proposed that the Industry Ministry approve a budget of Bt1.15 billion for the private sector to tackle the effects of the economic crisis.

The money will be used to develop companies' internal management, reduce their costs and provide more distribution channels to help manufacturers boost their sales - for example, by opening 25 outlets in big cities across the country.

Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungrueng said that if the war room proved successful, it would stimulate investment.

The ministry is retaining its target of investment applications worth Bt650 billion this year, he said.