Thailand to hold public hearing on 20-year para rubber strategic plan

BANGKOK, Sept. 10 (TNA) – The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAT) is holding a public hearing to complete the 20-year strategic plan for para rubber aimed at boosting prices and fostering growth of the country’s agricultural sector. Lertviroj Kowattana, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who headed the committee on drafting the strategic plan, said para rubber is important for the Thai economy as it generated an annual income of about 300 billion baht for local farmers and supported employment of 200,000 workers in the industry. The export of natural rubber and rubber products also created an income of at least 400 billion baht for the country, the deputy permanent secretary said. Mr Lertviroj said that prices for para rubber have been slumping, and it must be resolved quickly by the launch of the 20-year strategic plan. He said the plan covering the periods between 2017 and 2036 aims to address structural issues, boost demand and reduce exports in order to support sustainable growth of the country’s para rubber industry. RAT governor Titus Suksaard said the draft plan focuses on strengthening rubber farmers, improving quality of para rubber products, supporting research on technology and innovations, developing marketing and distribution channels, and finding supporting factors. He added that RAT is set to gather public opinions about the draft plan at its office on Tuesday prior to forwarding the final version to the National Rubber Policy Committee. (TNA)