State urged to establish SMEs council

The government is being urged to set up a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) council to protect, strengthen and upgrade Thailand’s small-scale businesses, notably mom and pop shops which are scattered nationwide.

Worawoot Ounjai, former president of the Thai Retailers Association, said although SMEs that engage in a variety of industries, such as retail, trade, manufacturing or services, are members of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, they seldom get the chance to voice their specific concerns.

“Thai SMEs and micro-SMEs are being plagued with problems not only relating to capital but also their capability to upgrade,” said Mr Worawoot. “With the establishment of an SME council, SMEs will be able to vent their concerns directly and their specific needs to the government.”

SMEs are a fragile segment as firms have been…