More measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) amid the faltering economy are set to be submitted to the government soon, say senior officials.
Finance Ministry tax measures to help boost the liquidity of SMEs will be presented for government approval shortly.
Finance permanent secretary Rangsan Siworasat said the ministry was in talks with private banks and state financial institutes to seek ways to increase SMEs' liquidity by offering them soft loans.
The government plans to help agriculture-related companies such as food processors so they can aid the agricultural sector indirectly, he said.
"We are working on the details of the measures and expect to submit them for government approval on May 29, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is to visit the Finance Ministry," Mr Rangsan said.
The government also plans to help the tourism sector, one of several that have been hard hit by the weak economy.
Mr Rangsan said the Finance Ministry was mulling a plan to raise the tax exemption for tourist spending such as hotel and tour package costs from the current 15,000 baht.
"Our plan to help stimulate tourism will also support other tourism-related businesses as well as increase spending that will boost the economy," he said.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry plans to work closely with the Industry Ministry's Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (Osmep) to offer privileges to assist the creation of new businesses in order to help stimulate the overall economy.
The number of SMEs registered in the business system is set to reach 100,000 nationwide this year, said Sutthikan Marsamran, director of Osmep's Entrepreneur Services Bureau.
There are now 90,000 SMEs registered in the system, although the actual number in existence could be as high as 2.7 million.
"The government wants to support the sustainable growth of SMEs by increasing their competitiveness," Ms Sutthikan said.
She said Osmep had created 10 projects this year to help SMEs expand business, add value to their products and increase their management efficiency.
The government is also providing urgent support by synergising various supporting jobs from several government bodies that will help to increase the competitive advantage of Thai SMEs overseas.
"The government must restructure Osmep's management to support SMEs, add value to their products and bolster the connections of Thai SMEs so they can compete in the global market," she said.
Osmep is drawing up a master plan and strategy to develop SMEs from 2017-22.