Authorities prepare Thai retailers for AEC

BANGKOK, July 3 (TNA) - Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikua says that he has ordered his ministry's Department of Business Development to enhance the capacities of Thai grocers who join his ministry's project on promoting local retailers in the lead-up to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), set to be formed by 2015. Nattawut told reporters on Wednesday that the project appears to have received a warm welcome, as more than 4,500 Thai grocers have already joined the project over the past two months and his ministry is, thus, helping them by developing their networks with product suppliers and promoting their groceries. Nattawut acknowledged that he plans to have experienced operators to train the participating grocers on business management, image making and value-added services, including electronic bill payments. According to the commerce minister, his ministry will also provide Thai grocers with access to soft loans. Besides, the Department of Business Development will hold seminars to prepare Thai retailers for the Single Economic Community of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and he expects the participating retailers will later train their peers. (TNA)