Thai CEOs propose strategy on post-pandemic economic recovery

Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 40 CEOs and business leaders discussed ways to reconstruct the country’s economy after COVID-19 crisis during their online meeting on July 21.

At the event, hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the CEOs said that the country should design more generous economic relief and a clear alternative plan after a missed vaccination procurement target.

FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree was quoted by local media as saying that the 40 CEOs have offered the government a four-point strategy on helping the business sector survive amid the worsening outbreak.

On measures to control the disease, they held that the government must work with private partners to establish non-hospital vaccine units to boost the inoculation rate as well as provide rapid testing to people at risk. A digital platform should be established to provide comprehensive telemedicine services to expand healthcare coverage and reduce the risk of infections in hospitals

Regarding remedies for businesses and individuals affected by lockdown, they said that this should include not just businesses that were ordered shut but also industries that have suffered labour shortage due to the lockdown.

Over short- and long-term economic stimulus plans, the government must stimulate spending among high-income earners as well as promote private investments, which will result in a boost in employment and a more stable economy, they said.

On post-COVID-19 rehabilitation plan, the CEOs held that a public-private joint committee should be formed to design campaigns that help put the country back on the track of long-term development goals such as new agriculture promotion, quality tourism campaigns and digital transformation.

Chiairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Sanan Angubolkul said the business sector was concerned about the pandemic and vaccine procurements which have missed their target. Fuelling the bad news is the continued surge in daily Covid-19 infections and fatalities which have weighed down the economy.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha thanked the 40 CEOs for helping share their ideas to fight COVID-19, insisting all proposals will be put into action.

Anucha Burapachaisri said that the Thai PM affirmed that the country will re-open completely in 120 days as he promised on June 16.

On July 22, the Southeast Asian country reported 13,655 new COVID-19 cases and 87 deaths in the past 24 hours. Since the pandemic hit the country, Thailand has seen 453,132 infections, including 3,697 deaths./.