The prospects of small and medium-sized enterprises are improving thanks to easing political uncertainties and a promising global economy, while the military regime has listed SME development on its national agenda, says the Industry Ministry.
Industry permanent secretary Witoon Simachokedee said positive signs of SME recovery have emerged due to rising domestic consumption and increased spending in the public and private sectors.
According to the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (Osmep), SME exports in the first five months surged 7.5% year-on-year to 758 billion baht.
SME imports dipped 18.5% to 865.8 billion baht as firms sourced materials from domestic suppliers.
Based on Osmep's analysis, SME indexes may have turned positive in the second quarter.
"The outlook for the second half should further improve in terms of exports and imports, and more businesses should be established," Mr Witoon said.
Some 2.76 million SMEs exist nationwide, accounting for 97% of industrial operators and 37% of GDP.
They employ 11.4 million people or 80% of the total workforce.
The GDP generated by SMEs amounts to 4.45 trillion baht. SME exports account for 25% of Thailand's total exports (a value of 1.76 trillion baht), while SME imports have a 31% share of imports (2.37 trillion baht).
"SMEs need support to access finance in order to strengthen their liquidity and for business expansion," Mr Witoon said.
"In addition, they have to look at new markets and improve competitiveness in various aspects."
He said the National Council for Peace and Order stood ready to support SMEs.
As part of the Industry Ministry's measures to assist SMEs, Thailand Industry Expo 2014 will take place in late August at Impact Muang Thong Thani.
The expo will offer 60,000 square metres for SMEs to showcase and sell products.
"SME entrepreneurs will also be able to seek advice from experts and successful entrepreneurs at the fair to upgrade their products," said Mr Witoon.
He said more than 100 seminars and workshops in various fields would round out the event.
"We expect more than 1,200 entrepreneurs and over 200,000 visitors at the expo," Mr Witoon said.
Atchaka Sriboonruang, director-general of the Industrial Promotion Department, said apart from gaining knowledge through free seminars and workshops, SMEs got to book space at the expo for free, and consumers could purchase Thai products at low prices.