Thai SMEs prepared for AEC

BANGKOK, March 18 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Industry, plans to implement projects to prepare local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of this year, when greater competition is foreseen. Permanent Secretary for Industry Atchaka Sibunruang told journalists on Wednesday that her ministry's Department of Industrial Promotion has planned urgent projects to prepare local industries, including those run by SMEs, for the upcoming AEC, while also developing the potential of the Thai fashion industry, paving the way for Bangkok to become a fashion city in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and promoting and creating new Thai entrepreneurs, paving the way for the Thai economy to become an ASEAN production and industrial trade hub. Atchaka said local business operators will also promote to invest in Thailand's new border economic zones. Meanwhile, Arthit Wuthikaro, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Promotion, noted that the promotion of the Thai fashion industry, in which 600 billion baht of national income is generated annually and as many as 2.2 million people are employed, covers textile, garments, shoes, leather products, gems and jewelry. Arthit revealed that for the project on developing new Thai entrepreneurs, his department focuses on industries which support digital economy. (TNA)