Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has ordered the Commerce Ministry to speed up the establishment of central markets nationwide, both for general products and those unique to each province, to serve as distribution channels for local vendors and traders.
The work should be done in tandem with community market development, which will be further expanded to the village level through cooperation with the Village Funds and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), said Mr Somkid during a meeting with senior-ranking Commerce Ministry officials yesterday.
Mr Somkid added all the markets should be easily accessible, especially for tourists.
"The Commerce Ministry needs to hold a brainstorming session with its officials at all provincial commerce offices regarding proper locations for the central markets. Decisions should be made in the next 3-6 months," he said. "From now on, it's the prime minister's and my policy that all ministries work closely with provincial governors to develop and stimulate provincial economies and raise local people's income."
The cabinet on Tuesday approved an additional mid-year budget of 190 billion baht for fiscal 2017.
Some 115 billion will be slated for domestic economic development, of which 80 billion is for provincial development, 20 billion for the SME Development Fund, and 15 billion as a central budget to be used for expenses in promoting and strengthening the domestic economy.
Of the remaining budget, 10 billion baht will be set aside as a fund to strengthen the competitiveness of targeted industries, 15 billion for the Village Fund and 22.9 billion for emergency expenses.
The government this year will focus on four areas: the digital economy, infrastructure development, agricultural reform and local economic development via 18 provincial clusters aimed to upgrade Thailand's competitiveness and strengthen the economy.
The government has already earmarked 15 billion baht to develop the national broadband network and submarine cable project.
It is also committed to developing other key infrastructure projects, especially the double-track rail networks, which will upgrade Thailand's logistics capacity and competitiveness.
The government is also pinning its hopes on the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which will run through Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao. The law governing the development of the EEC is expected to be enforced during the first quarter. It will also continue agricultural reform, particularly the smart farmer project, to help farmers develop their own businesses.
In addition, the government will focus on integrating state budgets, which are now scattered among various state agencies and local administrations, and beef up local economic development.
Mr Somkid said some 300 billion baht in leftover funds now controlled by the local administrative organisations will be set aside for local development, helping to bring about a better balance between external and local economies.
In a related development, Mr Somkid yesterday told the Commerce Ministry to closely monitor global oil prices to prevent any negative effects on the cost of living.