Thai Govt. implements measures to cope with Europe crisis

BANGKOK, July 4 (TNA) - Ministers responsible for Thailand’s economy on Wednesday decided to implement six measures to deal with massive debt crisis faced by some European countries which might affect the kingdom later, said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong. The decision was made following possibility that Slovenia might become the sixth European country seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund, he said. According to Kittirat, the six measures are maintaining the Thai economy covering foreign exchange and the stability of the baht, accelerating disbursement of government budget, and exploring markets replacing the European Union in importing Thai goods. Other measures are providing employment assistance and improving workers’ skills, exploring ways to boost tourism revenue, and to provide loans to certain industries which might be affected by financial crisis in Europe. Kittirat said the government will also have to provide assistance to local rubber planters as rubber prices in the country continue declining while global oil prices have already risen. Both the Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Commerce ministries have been assigned to tackle the problem of rubber falling prices, he added. (TNA)