Thai fruits on sale at a super market. (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) - The Commerce Ministry ofThailand has teamed up with the Agriculture Ministry to adjust a fruitmanagement plan, focusing on the domestic market to offset exports hit hard bythe COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported.
Deputy Minister of Commerce Sansern Samalapa said the plan will coverproduction management; distribution channels; business matching among traders,importers and Thai operators; financial support; and safety standards.
Sansern on April 9 called a meeting with government agencies and companies,including the Transport Ministry, Grab Thailand and Thailand Post, to ask forcooperation on fruit management during harvesting season, the Bangkok Postnewspaper reported.
The Thai government will offer leniency to a certain extent in labourmovements, particularly for farm workers and fruit pickers; exercise the Priceof Goods and Services Act to ensure fair trade competition; and promotecontract farming and the linkage between farmers, processors, traders andsupermarkets.
For the distribution channel, Thailand Post will be tasked with handling fruitdelivery with the state subsidising the delivery fee, while producers will beupgraded and trained to sell more via online platforms and social media.
To boost exports, the Commerce Ministry plans to launch business matching betweenbuyers, importers and Thai operators; online business matching events; fruitcaravans to neighbouring countries; and PR initiatives and roadshows in foreigncountries.
According to Deputy Minister Sansern, the government will also offer tosubsidise 3 percent of the loan interest for 10 months for local fruitcollectors and 3 percent for six months to fruit collectors for exports. Inaddition, the government wants to offer an additional three baht (0.031 USD) perkg for expenses in fruit collection to fruit collectors for exports./.
VNA
