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New stimulus efforts readied

BANGKOK: The Finance Ministry is preparing additional stimulus measures, including plans to promote tourism and encourage spending towards the end of the year, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

economicstourism
By Bangkok Post

Saturday 19 October 2024 04:00 PM


A woman holds up her share of the B10,000 cash handout, which is deemed part of the government’s economic stimulus plan. Photo: Bangkok Post

A woman holds up her share of the B10,000 cash handout, which is deemed part of the government’s economic stimulus plan. Photo: Bangkok Post

He said the economic stimulus package will include the second phase of the cash handout, for which the government allocated B187 billion in the 2025 budget, reports the Bangkok Post.

Mr Julapun said the payment system is being developed, adding it was confirmed that registrants who used the government’s app and passed the eligibility screening will each receive B10,000.

He said the tourism stimulus measures will target areas affected by flooding, such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. The preliminary plan allows expenses related to tourism and training seminars in these flood-affected areas to be claimed as a tax deduction, at twice the actual amount, said Mr Julapun.

With the gradual implementation of these measures, he said the country’s economic growth next year is expected to exceed 3%, while this year’s GDP expansion is projected at 2.7%.

Mr Julapun said Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has been expediting investment promotion via the Board of Investment, particularly in Eastern Economic Corridor projects, while urging the Comptroller-General’s Department to accelerate budget disbursement.

Mr Julapun said officials are working to remove obstacles in the 2025 budget disbursement process, such as reducing the number of appeals for government project bidding.

Appeals cause delays in project decision-making and contract signing.

The Comptroller-General’s Department decentralised the appeals process to regional offices, aiming to speed up the process.

The department also set stricter conditions for filing appeals, allowing only those directly involved in the project to submit an appeal.