Internal Trade Dep to study cost structure of all goods

BANGKOK, 4 December 2009 (NNT) – Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai has assigned the Department of Internal Trade to study cost structure of all kinds of goods to monitor the rising prices for fairness of both consumers and producers.

According to Ms Pornthiva, the Internal Trade Department will survey the cost of production for all goods to see which one will be increasing or decreasing. Appreciation of Thai baht currency and oil price are some examples of the factors used in the study.

The Minister said the order given aimed at overseeing domestic prices of goods next year. She expected that the result of the study would be presented to the meeting of the committee on prices of goods and services, which would be scheduled at the beginning of next year.

Ms Pornthiva confirmed that the operation to monitor prices of fresh foods would be fair for both consumers and farmers alike. She said it would be good if farmers could sell their produces at good prices, but it must be fair for entrepreneurs and consumers too.

Rice, chicken, and pork are some of the goods with tendency to have price rise following the hiking cost of production, especially animal feeds.