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Published on February 21, 2008

The eight sectors represented at the meeting were agriculture, healthcare, construction and design, information technology, jewellery and gems, logistics, small and medium-size businesses (SMEs) and real estate.

Agriculture representatives called on the government to help improve the competitiveness of the farm products to boost exports, while the healthcare sector wants government help in promoting the country as a medical hub.

Construction firms want the administration to accelerate investment in planned mega-projects. The industry's representatives also called for lower tariffs on steel imports.

Members of the IT sector called on the government to invest in a backbone network to expand broadband Internet throughout the country.

Delegates from the jewellery and gems industry sought government help in increasing their competitiveness to make the Kingdom an Asian jewellery and gems hub.

Regarding logistics, sector representatives want the government to invest in water and rail projects to improve the transportation system. Twin-rail projects and waterways will help reduce transport costs for businesses, they argue.

The SME sector called for government help in making their products more competitive, while the real-estate sector sought an extension of the land-lease period for foreign entities in some areas from 30 years to 90 years in order to boost investment.

Suwit agreed to take the proposals into consideration.

He said some proposals, which were feasible, would be examined further before being sent for Cabinet approval.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation