Besides helping entrepreneurs hit by the recent political rioting by providing support funds, training and temporary markets, the Industrial Promotion Department is coordinating with other state agencies to find overseas markets for them as a long-term solution under the government's reconciliation plan.
Deputy director-general Surasith Bunyabhisand yesterday said the department had step-by-step plans to help affected entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises.
In the preliminary stage, the department has organised small-scale trade fairs around the Industry Ministry complex in order to provide temporary market places for businesses affected by the unrest.
It has also provided financial consulting support and soft loans from its Service of the Revolving Fund for Cottage and Handicraft Industries, as well as conducting career training courses to strengthen entrepreneurs' knowledge.
"We have budgeted around Bt600,000 to organise the small-scale trade fairs. And we have another Bt10 million for holding training courses nationwide until the end of this fiscal year [September 30]. Moreover, the department's fund has around Bt450 million to help provide soft loans to entrepreneurs. All activities are under the concept of the government's reconciliation plan," he said.
Surasith said the department had already distributed about Bt10 million from its fund to entrepreneurs who suffered as a result of the political violence. Each is allowed to borrow up to Bt1 million from the fund at an interest rate of 1 per cent and with repayment within three years.
As the next step, the department will coordinate with state agencies such as the Department of Export Promotion to help businesses broaden their activities to export markets. This is seen as a longer-term solution.
The agency yesterday opened the latest Smile Village small-scale trade fair to provide temporary markets to entrepreneurs who suffered from the political turmoil either directly or indirectly.
The fair, the third of its type since the unrest, may also open up opportunities for them to enter new markets soon, said Surasith.
Prapast Rattanaprateep, owner of Rom Chat Handicraft, the Lampang producer of hand-made decorative items from coconut shells, is taking part in the Smile Village project for the first time.
He said his business had been indirectly affected by the political unrest as he normally distributed the products to many stores in Bangkok, including one in the Rajdamri area. His business has lost about Bt20,000 per month from that outlet since the rioting.
His shops in Lampang province have also suffered, he said, as many foreign tourists had cancelled trips to Thailand.
He estimated his overall revenue had declined by 50 per cent during the period.
Prapast said the situation was however improving and that revenue from Bangkok was nearly back to normal.
He appreciates the Industrial Promotion Department's projects to help entrepreneurs like him since the riots.