GSB set up grass-roots economic research centre

BANGKOK, May 5 (TNA) -- The Government Savings Bank (GSB) has established an economic research centre which will compile information from grass-roots people on the general economy which reflects people’s confidence on the Thai government’s economic policy, said GSB president and CEO Chatchai Payuhanaveechai. Mr Chatchai said the ‘Grass-roots Economic Research Centre’ would be a national think-tank to conduct a survey and provide essential information on macroeconomic, forecasts and analysis to the public as well as reporting to the government. Simultaneously, "Grass-roots Economic Sentiment Index" would be conducted in which some 1,500 agriculturists and people earning less than 15,000 baht monthly will be asked of their opinions on the government’s economic policy, issued to assist the poor, said Mr Chatchai. It is expected that the first survey could be obtained within one or two weeks from now, he said, adding that people’s confidence towards the government would be considered sufficient if the index exceeds 50 points. GSB would send survey results to the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Thailand and the government so that information received would enable the government to assist poor income earners. (TNA)