BANGKOK (NNT) – Thailand is campaigning to elevate the fruit trade in the kingdom’s east as the tropical fruit hub of Asia.

Boonyarit Kalayanamit, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Commerce, said the campaign is expected to promote fruit produce in the Eastern region to the rest of the nation and the world. The initiative would also stimulate local consumption and demand while reducing reliance on exports.

According to Boonyarit, Thai agriculturalists offer 57 different types of fruits, contributing 45 billion baht in annual exports. 80% of these fruits are durian, longan and mangosteen, shipped to major export partners China and Vietnam, with most of the remaining products sold locally.

The Eastern region is projected to see 1.14 million metric tons of combined volume for durian, mangosteen, rambutan and longan in Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat. The figure represents an increase of 27% from last year’s 900,000 tons, with the three provinces considered the key fruit producers of the region.

Chanthaburi’s provincial commerce office chief, Chairat Boonsong, meanwhile noted that there are currently Chinese middlemen setting up warehouses to purchase produce in the areas. He said the practice could put sellers at disadvantage if they unite to monopolize the buying price.

The office chief said it was therefore necessary for farmers to have market and trading partner options for trading partners.

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Reporter : Na-ark Rojanasuvan

Rewriter : Paul Rujopakarn

National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th

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BANGKOK (NNT) – Amid relaxed travel restrictions, labor export firms and relevant agencies have attended a discussion hosted by the Ministry of Labor to ensure that Thai workers gain the most benefits from working abroad.

Labor Minister Suchart Chomklin said the COVID-19 situation had forced many nations to curb international travel, including delaying entry for foreign workers.

As the disease situation gradually improves, many countries have relaxed travel restrictions and are once again accepting migrant workers. Suchart said his ministry aims to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad this year. To ensure this target is met and Thai workers benefit from the move, representatives from 127 labor export firms recently convened with ministry officials to establish an understanding and discuss employee wages, benefits and protections.

The Department of Employment has previously worked to expand the market for Thai workers abroad. Additional labor cooperation agreements have also been enacted with several countries such as Saudi Arabia, with demand generally high for skilled construction and tourism workers.

For the Japanese market, the demand is particularly high for office housekeepers while Australia is seeking more farmhands and the UAE requires construction, services and spa workers.

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Reporter : Natthaphon  Sangpolsit

Rewriter : Paul Rujopakarn

National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th

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BANGKOK (NNT) – Officials are evaluating the current state of the Thai economy and determining the appropriate stimulus measures.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith earlier assigned the task to the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO). He directed the FPO to determine whether Thailand still needs more cash flow to be injected into its economy.

He commented that, even if the need is there for more economic stimulus programs, it is not necessary to borrow more. The minister explained that since the economy started to recover, the administration was able to earn more revenue. Thus, further evaluation is needed to determine the necessity of an additional stimulus package.

Minister Arkhom also talked about the recent instruction from Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to find more lenders and potentially study the next phase of the government’s popular 50-50 copay campaign. He clarified that the order was actually to find capital to fund essential projects. The Finance Minister also stressed that borrowing is not the focus, as the nation already borrowed 1.5 trillion baht previously to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic.

Arkhom said that the economy of many countries are beginning to return to normal via investments, employment, and income generation. Thailand could also do the same, with the emphasis being placed on investment triggering more cash flow in the economy.

Careful consideration is being made for the next phase of the 50-50 copay program, as the initiative has a high upkeep cost.

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Reporter : Na-ark Rojanasuvan

Rewriter : Thammarat Thadaphrom

National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th

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BANGKOK (NNT) – Barracuda mango prices are seeing a significant spike by as much as 10 baht per kg amid especially high demand for mango sticky rice.

Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade, said that in addition to higher demand, policies to intervene in the price mechanism and increase distribution channels have also contributed to the surge.

According to the director-general, the situation has helped mango growers to generate more revenue compared to last year.

Top quality barracuda mangos are being sold at prices ranging from 25-35 baht per kg, up from last year’s 22 – 25 baht per kg.

Wattanasak said that his department is working with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and Thailand Post on a program to further increase distribution channels for fruit farmers.

The initiative allows more than 3,500 factories and companies in 63 industrial estates under the IEAT to pre-order mangos and other seasonal fruits, with Thailand Post providing logistic solutions.

The IEAT will also allocate spaces inside industrial estates for farmers to set up stalls to directly sell their products.

A total of 78 vending booths for barracuda mangos from Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Udon Thani will also be erected in 33 provinces. These three provinces are considered key barracuda mango production hubs.

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Reporter : Na-ark Rojanasuvan

Rewriter : Paul Rujopakarn

National News Bureau : http://thainews.prd.go.th

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