Local worker skill development will be taken into account for the 2019 budget expenditure allocation, in preparation for a possible labour shortage caused by the departure of migrant workers, the Budget Bureau's chief says.
Migrant workers from neighbouring countries will go back home sooner or later when their economies expand to a certain level, said Dechapiwat Na Songkhla, director-general of the Budget Bureau.
"We may need training schemes to improve skill sets or retrain millions of workers who exit the system to prepare for a possible workforce shortage when migrant workers go home or skills need to be adapted to newer technology," he said.
The retraining schemes will focus on industries in the industrial S-curve, said Mr Dechapiwat.
The government develops local operators and labourers by offering job training and offering financial services through the 20-billion-baht Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Fund, he said.
Mr Dechapiwat said public health and caring for the elderly will be another area of focus in 2019 budget allocation.
To prevent burdening the state budget, the government may plan to train or seek appropriate work for healthy retirees, he said.
The Finance Ministry, the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Bank of Thailand and the Budget Bureau will meet to discuss next year's fiscal budget on Dec 27.
The size of the fiscal 2019 budget deficit will depend largely on state income collection, said Mr Dechapiwat, adding that income streams are likely to increase following the government's economic stimulus measures over the past few years.
He said local demand is likely to play a larger role in the 2019 budgeting process, to ensure the budget better meets people's needs.
After the country's economic recovery gains traction, the government will focus on local economies to broaden growth nationwide.
Deputy Finance Minister Wisudhi Srisuphan said budget allocation will focus on making economic growth inclusive, with funding allocated to local areas for tourism development in the second-tier provinces to create more income for communities.
The Finance Ministry is selecting the provinces that will receive tax incentives, said Mr Wisudhi, without providing further details.