Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha holds talks with business leaders via video conference at Government House on July 22. (Photo: Government House) At the event, hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries(FTI), the CEOs said that the country should design more generous economicrelief and a clear alternative plan after a missed vaccination procurementtarget.
FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree was quoted by local mediaas saying that the 40 CEOs have offered the government a four-point strategy onhelping the business sector survive amid the worsening outbreak.
On measures to control the disease, they held that thegovernment must work with private partners to establish non-hospital vaccineunits to boost the inoculation rate as well as provide rapid testing to peopleat risk. A digital platform should be established to provide comprehensivetelemedicine services to expand healthcare coverage and reduce the risk ofinfections in hospitals
Regarding remedies for businesses and individuals affectedby lockdown, they said that this should include not just businesses that wereordered shut but also industries that have suffered labour shortage due to thelockdown.
Over short- and long-term economic stimulus plans, the governmentmust stimulate spending among high-income earners as well as promote privateinvestments, which will result in a boost in employment and a more stableeconomy, they said.
On post-COVID-19 rehabilitation plan, the CEOs held that apublic-private joint committee should be formed to design campaigns that helpput the country back on the track of long-term development goals such as newagriculture promotion, quality tourism campaigns and digital transformation.
Chiairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Sanan Angubolkulsaid the business sector was concerned about the pandemic and vaccineprocurements which have missed their target. Fuellingthe bad news is the continued surge in daily Covid-19 infections and fatalitieswhich have weighed down the economy.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said PrimeMinister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked the 40 CEOs for helping share their ideas tofight COVID-19, insisting all proposals will be put into action.
Anucha Burapachaisri said that the Thai PM affirmed that the country willre-open completely in 120 days as he promised on June 16.
On July 22, the Southeast Asian country reported 13,655 newCOVID-19 cases and 87 deaths in the past 24 hours. Since the pandemic hit thecountry, Thailand has seen 453,132 infections, including 3,697 deaths./.
VNA
