The Commerce Ministry has been directed to rev up its efforts to control consumer product and food prices, tackle low farm prices, stimulate exports and promote community enterprises.
Authorities should inspect more frequently the market prices of essential products and food in partnership with the private sector to prevent profiteering by traders and vendors, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said.
The government's new economic chief also urged authorities to enforce the law more strictly.
Mr Somkid held a meeting Wednesday with the ministry's senior officials and representatives of the private sector to outline his economic and trade policies.
He said central markets should be set up in communities in all regions to channel essential product distribution to consumers.
He also asked the Commerce Ministry to work more closely with private organisations to tackle farm product prices, particularly for rice, rubber and oil palm.
To drive exports, the ministry should set up an energetic team to work closely with the private sector, Foreign Ministry and Tourism and Sports Ministry to beef up shipments to target countries such as Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, China and Japan.
"From now on, the Commerce Ministry will not be the only one promoting exports," he said.
Private firms from all sectors also being urged to report their problems and obstacles directly to the prime minister in a move to speed up tackling them.
Mr Somkid also pledged to promote trade in services such as tourism, hospitals, films and entertainment, restaurants and e-commerce.
"The Commerce Ministry should also be more instrumental in business development, particularly for community enterprises and the One Tambon One Product scheme as well as new entrepreneur development," he said.
Newly appointed Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said her ministry would try its best to produce substantial results within three months as directed by Mr Somkid.
Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, hailed the new stimulus package worth 136 billion baht, particularly its contributions to Village Funds, as it would boost the production capacity of communities.
Businesses have pledged to cooperate with the government sector to upgrade community products.