PM calls on private sector to help restore the economy

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday called on the private sector to help restore the economy, saying it had a significant role in developing the Thailand’s economy to ensure sustainable growth.

Delivering a keynote speech on “The Economic Stimulus Package: How Businesspersons Can Give Assistance,” he said that Thailand’s current economic crisis is different from the crisis of 1997 because it stemmed from external factors, not local financial problems as in in the past.

The government had monitored and supervised the crisis and come up with multi-level measures to curb possible impacts and strengthen the economy.

He conceded the immediate situation his government is facing now remained unabated. But there are some signs the economic problem began to ease and the unemployment had dropped.

Mr. Abhisit said he wanted to seek the private-sector cooperation to help shore up the economic situation because he was informed that some groups of people would attempt to instigate unrest in June.

He affirmed should the bill authorizing the Ministry of Finance to seek Bt400 billion in loans to help restore economic stability this year win approval, the government will apply the funds to invest in a schedule of critical projects.

It is expected the projects would create up to 1.5-2 million jobs and boost competition in the economic, education and public health sectors, he said. (TNA)