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Published on February 8, 2008

The move, aimed at solving the problems of grass-roots people whose cost of living has skyrocketed following higher production costs, is one of seven priorities that Mingkwan announced on his first day in office.

The ministry will conduct a survey to select 30 goods that consumers want to see priced lower. This strategy will allow the ministry to revise costs fairly for both consumers and manufacturers.

Second, the export policy of some agricultural crops would be revamped to ensure high export value.

For instance, jasmine rice and mangosteens should gain higher prices in the export market.

"People may have to stop eating mangosteens this year, to focus more on exports, because the fruit goes for Bt70 in Japan and US$3 (Bt99) in Dubai," he said.

To facilitate exports, cargo airports and an agricultural-cargo airline will be set up to ensure the export of fresh fruits.

Third, new export markets will be important for diversifying the currencies of export revenue, which is now dominated by the US dollar.

Fourth, all international trade agreements derived from free-trade negotiations and bilateral and multilateral trade talks, will be reviewed, to determine their positive and negative effects and the results of implementation.

"Thailand also has been hit by the 'hamburger crisis' in the US and other negative effects, such as the fluctuating exchange rate and spiralling oil prices. As a result, we must push two or three times harder than in a normal situation," Mingkwan said.

Fifth, the ministry wants to create fair practices regarding intellectual-property rights, in order to cope with the rapid growth of digital technology.

Sixth, a value-creation policy will be launched for both goods and services.

"We hope to start up more goods for the One Tambon One Product project," he said.

Finally, Mingkwan will seek greater cooperation with relevant ministries in not only solving problems, but also creating opportunities for the country.

Achara Pongvutitham,

 Petchanet Pratruangkrai

 The Nation