Thai industries with fastest growth unveiled

BANGKOK, February 19 (TNA) - The Department of Industrial Promotion, under the Ministry of Industry, has identified 15 industries with the fastest growth and high potential to boost the national economy. The department's director-general, Somchai Harnhirun, told journalists on Friday nine out of the 15 Thai industries that his department has identified as showing off the fastest growth and high potential to support the national economic expansion are in the manufacturing sector, including construction, electronic parts, automobiles and parts, food and beverages, energy and information technology (IT) businesses. Somchai said six other Thai industries that play important roles in the national economic expansion include machinery, food, rubber products, packages and plastic products, textile and garments and gems and jewelry, acknowledging this group has potential to generate substantial income for the national economy. The department, meanwhile, launched a project on upgrading Thai SMEs, under which local small-scaled enterprses will be supported to grow to medium-scaled ones and presently medium-sized enterprises will be developed to become large-scaled ones. According to the senior official, local SMEs with high growth and high impacts will also be selected from all Thai regions to participate in the project, with participants to be able to learn on business management, efficiency improvement, technologies and innovations, while having access to finance as well. Besides, the department plans to enable participants in the project to export their products, seek listing on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) and win international awards. (TNA)