MCOT | 3 November 2007

Only two FTA-affected companies received government financial aid

BANGKOK, Nov 3 (TNA) — Only two of 11 manufacturers severely-affected by free trade area (FTA) agreements with other countries have received financial assistance from the Thai government after their operations were hit by the terms of the trade pacts, a senior Commerce Ministry official said Saturday.

Foreign Trade Department director-general Apiradi Tantraporn said the Thai government had set up a special fund for operators whose businesses, especially in the production and service sectors, were impacted by the FTAs.

Eleven businesses asked for assistance but only two of them were approved by a committee during a meeting in September, she said. A manufacturer of electrical appliances and electronics received financial aid of Bt5 million while a leather producer received Bt1 million.

The government has set aside financial assistance amounting to Bt134 million for 2008 for manufacturers
whose businesses have been affected by FTA accords, Mrs. Apiradi said.