Commerce chief gets tough on counsellors

Commerce chief gets tough on counsellors

Jurin threatens to recall laggards

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has threatened to move Thai commercial counsellors in foreign countries back to Thailand if they fail to function as salespeople to boost shipments and tackle hurdles for exports.

Mr Jurin is preparing working policies for all directors in the Office of Thai Trade Centers and commercial counsellors in 58 offices around the world, aiming to promote Thai exports despite the pandemic.

"As the pandemic is improving and vaccines are being produced, commercial counsellors need to adjust their export plans to expedite shipments," he said.

"The ministry is working on indicators to measure the performance of each commercial counsellor in foreign countries in selling the country's products. Handling trade information and market situation reports is no longer enough."

According to Mr Jurin, in addition to acting as the country's salespeople, the commercial counsellors have to provide assistance to exporters in reducing obstacles and offer smart advice to better tap markets.

He has initially ordered commerce permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit to study the working policies.

"If the commercial counsellors can't perform in line with the working policies, the ministry has to bring them back. We don't have to wait for them to complete their full four-year terms, because the longer they stay causes more losses for the country," said Mr Jurin.

"The performance of the director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department will also be evaluated."

He said he is ordering Mr Boonyarit to transform provincial commercial officers to work as salesmen in their provinces.

They will function much like a merchant in contacting and coordinating with local businesses and communities to develop trade opportunities, increasing income for locals.

Mr Jurin said many commercial officers in the provinces have been doing well, but some officers still need to improve.

In an effort to stimulate exports next year, he said this month the ministry plans to organise up to 343 marketing activities both in and outside of Thailand. The ministry also want to accelerate free trade agreement (FTA) talks with several potential partners, including the EU, the UK, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Free Trade Association (Efta).

Of the 343 marketing events, 135 are to be held in Thailand, leaving 208 that are scheduled for foreign countries.

Mr Jurin said the Commerce Ministry has been revving up international trade negotiations to give Thai products a competitive edge, noting the ministry completed a study on the impact of the planned Thai-EU FTA, which is headed to the cabinet for approval to proceed with trade talks.

Next year, he said the ministry plans to speed up talks on FTAs with the UK, the EU, the EAEU and Efta.

The EAEU consists of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, while Efta comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

According to Mr Jurin, the ministry wants to apply an innovative approach to forge deeper trade partnership deals, so-called "mini FTAs", with prospective regions such as Hainan province in China, Telangana state in India and Gyeonggi province in South Korea.

The ministry also plans to promote sales of Thai products via famous online platforms such as Amazon in Singapore and the US, Lotte in South Korea, Tmall in China, Bigbasket in India and Khaleang.com in Cambodia.

The commerce minister said Thailand's exports tallied a recovery on a monthly basis, with figures expected to see only a 7% contraction for the entirety of 2020. Next year Thailand is projected to record export growth of 4%, said Mr Jurin.

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