Commerce puts brake on its roadshows

A senior commercial source said Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai had instructed officials to cancel trips to Poland, Turkey and Austria, citing political instability.

The trip was to have been led by vice Minister Veerasak Jinarat, who has just returned from an eight-day trip to Russia.

Moreover, it was reported the Office of the Auditor General has sent a team to investigate the ministry's spending on overseas trips.

Porntiva had cancelled her plan to lead a group of exporters to Nigeria to promote Thai rice, which was scheduled for May 23-28. She has also cancelled a plan to preside over a Thai Entertainment Fair in France next month.

Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of roadshows in promoting Thai goods in overseas markets.

This has created problems for the ministry. Porntiva is facing a challenge to her position as a recent poll gave her a poor rating and she may be a target in a reshuffle.

Porntiva has tried to put a brave face on things by saying that although being the least wanted in the current Cabinet, she will use the opportunity to develop herself.

"I can stand all criticism. In the past four months, I have put all of my energy and abilities to work for the country. However, I will try more to improve myself to satisfy my critics," she said.

Unfortunately for Porntiva, she was nominated as Commerce Minister amidst the global economic downturn when exports contracted worldwide.

The ministry is a key agency with responsibility on major trade issues in the Kingdom, in particular export growth.

A trader source, who asked to remain anonymous, said the ministry's attempt to promote exports via roadshows seemed pointless because of the global economic meltdown.

In the past, roadshows have been one of the most effective ways of promoting exports in target markets.

However, the ministry must review plans to conduct roadshows in the current economic climate and come up with more creative strategies.

Porntiva must also ensure that whoever leads overseas trips has an authoritative enough personality to strengthen cooperation with government officials and businesspeople, the source said.