4. Commercial and International Economic Policies
The Government is determined to elevate the country's international trade policy from one solely emphasizing the acceleration of exports at all levels to one focused on developing a global marketing network system able to respond to the rapidly changing needs of consumers, thus integrating the Thai economy as part of a powerful global economy in a borderless world. The strategy will be as follows:
4.1 Commerce
(1) Support and promote the preparedness of the private sector in coping with competition in the international trade arena. Towards this end, modern marketing approaches must be employed; organizations, personnel and an information system must be developed; planning and development of production must be in line with the needs of the market; production and sales networks must be interlinked to yield maximum benefits in terms of capital and marketing; a state of preparedness must be achieved in terms of the skills, technology and knowledge necessary to compete at the global level.
(2) Develop and promote Thailand as a centre for trade in goods and services in the region as well as a centre for international exhibitions.
(3) Promote e-commerce to create opportunities for entrepreneurs in accessing the global market by expeditiously pushing forward measures and legislation essential for the conduct of e-commerce.
(4) Accelerate measures to improve the administrative efficiency of the agencies concerned, both within and outside the country, in order that they may carry out their duties in supporting and promoting exports, whether in terms of marketing, providing information or helping resolve trade obstacles overseas.
4.2 Trade in Goods and Services
(1) Promote Thai businesses to be able to obtain technology and intellectual property from all sources, and develop them to create value added by enabling such businesses to diversify their production. Promote the establishment of a fund to provide the opportunity for Thai inventors and entrepreneurs to develop and utilize unique Thai know-how and indigenous intellectual property rights with full treaty protection.
(2) Support small- and medium-sized retail businesses to be able to compete and adapt themselves to withstand the impact of liberalization of trade in services.
(3) Institute zoning measures and relevant regulations for new large retail businesses.
(4) Promote consumer protection and an effective process of informing and servicing the public and ensuring better quality of services and products for consumers equitably. Revise and amend laws as well as institute measures for the protection of consumers with a view to ensuring justice for consumers as well as improving the country's products and services.
4.3 International Economics
(1) Support free trade in the international arena, taking into full consideration the level of preparedness and national interests of the country as well as the interests of domestic entrepreneurs. Push for the amendment and revision of laws that pose an obstacle to the Thai private sector in international trade competition.
(2) Emphasize a proactive role in the international trade and economic arena. Push for the holding of negotiations in the international arena, based on the principles of justice and bearing in mind the interests and limitations of developing countries.
(3) Support and advance the free trade policy of the ASEAN Free Trade Area. Promote trade and investment with neighbouring countries as well as border trade. Promote the development of Thailand into a base for the production of goods and the provision of services in the region.
(4) Promote and support entrepreneurs from the private sector to play a part in providing trade and investment data as well as in analyzing the possible impact brought about by international trade and investment regulations. This would be of benefit in setting the directions and strategy of Thai foreign policy as well as international trade and investment negotiations.