While Mr. Thaksin has moved quickly in carrying out election promises, business leaders and academics agree that populist policies have failed to translate into concrete economic gains. With economic growth stalled and businesses looking to cut costs further, government advisers concede that unemployment could become a growing problem. Synopsis of the Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday September 04, 2001. Premier Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered the Commerce Ministry to set up a new retail store chain upcountry to help ease the problems faced by small businesses in competing with superstore operators. While the global economic down turn has dealt a heavy blow to the export sector, the food industry continues to grow steadily, according to the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand.
Thai exporters yearning for markets have similar desires.
Recycling plants will be added to the list of businesses eligible for Board of Investment promotional privileges. Most industries will be lose their tax incentives within 10 year as the country moves to comply with World Trade Organization rules limiting subsidies. Full Story China threatens to put its money elsewhere Bangkok Post - August 29 China yesterday signalled it could go elsewhere to invest in the production of paper from eucalyptus pulp if Thailand feared environmental damage and was unsure of technology to control it. Consistent and heavy image dressing campaigns had done nothing to mask its failure in running the country, the opposition whips said. Full Story Synopsis of the Cabinet Meeting Government Spokesman - August 28 Synopsis of the Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday August 28, 2001.