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If the bidding starts as early as proposed, the construction should be completed within one year, which would help stimulate the economy. Officials at the Ministry of Finance added that, under this first lot, small projects that could be quickly implemented were intentionally singled out for priority. Additionally, more than 30,000 projects are being screened so that the ready ones could be brought up for early bidding.

 Looking closely at this proposal, I have to commend the Minister of Finance for moving in the right direction and effectively speeding up these government investment projects. I believe the bidding for many projects could start early in October, right at the beginning of the budget year. However, the Minister of Finance still has to closely monitor these projects to make sure the bidding, in reality, does start as expected.

Furthermore, the scope of communication to the public on the detail of these construction projects should be expanded. At the moment, it is communicated only through national media. I have no evidence of it being reported in the local press. If this were done, local construction firms could be alerted beforehand and timely preparation made for the bidding.

Besides, jobless workers laid off as a result of the economic crisis, could start looking for construction jobs in the locality or nearby areas as details appeared in the local media. Also, the news of early action on construction projects would improve business sentiment in the locality. Firms trading in construction materials and producers of construction materials, both at national level as well as the locals, would make early moves to expand their stock. Even firms trading in consumer products would expect their sales to expand once the construction got underway in their locality.

I wish that the Minister of Finance would stick to monitoring this investment programmes and use his might to urge all concerned government offices to start the remaining projects as soon as possible. These actions would improve business sentiment and public confidence in every locality that would benefit from the investment programme. Such improved confidence would lead to additional consumption and additional investment in business stocks, and would set the economic wheel in motion as a result.

The Thai economy, which should record positive growth rate in Q4, as some parts of export have started to recover, could further grow in the beginning of 2010 as stimulated by these investment projects.

Records in the past show that the growth rate was always good in any year that the prices of crops were high and a number of construction works were implemented. Recently, the Prime Minister announced the price guaranty programme for crops, which were not well understood by the public. This announcement sent a message that the government would ensure higher income for the farm sector.

I followed this matter closely and surprisingly found that no real action that would lead to successful implementation of the programme had been taken. The price guaranty programme is not at all easy to implement. A lot of preparation is needed.

The registration of farmers wanting to join the programme alone would take a long time as there are a huge number of farmers. To prevent misunderstanding among farmers, which could lead to negative impressions of the programme in the future, explanation must be made.

Also, substantial documents are required for the registration and claims. It is highly likely that it cannot be implemented on time for this main crop if actions do not start from now.

I, therefore, would not like to rely much on the implementation of the price guarantee programme in successfully bringing about the higher income for farmers, but tend to rely more on the speeding up of construction work invested by various government agencies nationwide as the main engine to stimulate growth.

I would urge the Minister of Finance to keep on monitoring this investment programme for his desired early implementation and success.

Until Next Monday.