Decree on logistics panel this month

Even if there is a change in government, the proposed National Management Committee on Development Logistics System and Service will remain to pursue logistics development, following the strategic plan, the source said.

Logistics has gained importance, as the country's total logistics cost approaches Bt800 billion a year.

The National Economic and Social Development Board is preparing the PM's Office Order on National Logistics Development, which will go to the Cabinet.

The board's strategic plan aims to reduce the ratio of national logistics cost to gross domestic product (GDP) - currently at 18.9 per cent - to build competitiveness among the country's businesses.

A chairman will be appointed to the committee. Its other directors will be ministers from the Transport, Commerce, Industry and Finance ministries.

It will also include representatives from private sector groups such as the Thai Federation on Logistics, Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Textile Manufacturing Association.

Referring to the Cabinet meeting on February 10, the government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed to set up the national logistics development committee, which would include the permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry as a member.

On February 25, the committee held its first meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu.

A major issue discussed at that meeting was how to ease the liquidity crunch affecting small- and medium-scale logistics service providers.