Centre director Aat Pisanwanich said the opinion poll on “How Thai SMEs Adjust for the AEC” was conducted among 1,000 entrepreneurs nationwide in 19 agricultural and industrial sectors.
Of these, 32 per cent said they are making adjustments, while 60 per cent said they have done nothing so far.
All are waiting for clear government guidelines as to how it will support small companies. They said they want more information on the AEC, and would like the government to set up a fund for SMEs in order to prepare for the AEC.
SME exporters want the government to find market channels for them, and to organise seminars on the AEC.
They also want the government to help with production costs, improve labour effectiveness, find sources of low interest or interest-free funds, and reduce red tape.
Mr Aat, a master of understatement, said Thai entrepreneurs’ awareness of AEC is “quite low”.
With the AEC coming into being in just over two years, Thai SMEs should have adjusted over halfway already, he said, devising marketing strategies, developing and standardising products, and putting up websites in the various languages of Asean.
The Center for International Trade Studies director also advised Thai SMEs to find allies in other Asean countries in order to expand their businesses and find more market channels in those countries.