Bangkok, The FTI expects the MPC to reduce interest rates 2 times, totaling 0.50%, indicating that it will result in a decrease in interest rates on loans in the system. Outside the system must be reduced as well. This will help reduce costs for SMEs a lot.
Mr. Phayong Sriwanich, President of the Thai Bankers’ Association, at the FTI meeting today (April 3) said that the market now views The Monetary Policy Committee has the opportunity to cut interest rates at its next meeting. It is expected that the policy interest rate may be cut 2 times, 0.25% each time, for a total of 0.50% this year, but we still have to wait and see the results of the consideration.
Mr. Kriengkrai Thiannukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (F.T.I.), said he hopes the MPC will reduce interest rates. Because it has entered a period of downturn in interest rates. At this time, there are no signs of raising interest rates from the Federal Reserve (Fed), and it is expected that an announcement will be made to reduce inter
est rates starting in the second half of the year, that is, from June. The Fed has signaled that it will reduce it three times, but at the beginning of this year the US economy was still strong. The Fed has not cut interest rates as quickly as expected, but is confident that from now on there will be a period of downturn in interest rates for both the UK and Europe due to massive economic stimulus. Everyone needs to recover. Interest costs are very important for entrepreneurs, especially SMEs. Reducing interest rates by just 0.25% or 0.50% is very meaningful, helping SMEs a lot, helping them survive, and in addition, SMEs still face the problem of not having access to financial resources. Because the person who gave it to me was afraid. Not confident, therefore not approved, causing many SMEs to borrow outside the system. If the interest rate on loans in the system decreases Outside the system must be reduced as well. This will help reduce costs for SMEs a lot.
As for the price of diesel fuel that will incre
ase After the subsidy measures expire It will affect the transportation costs of the private sector, both the industrial and service sectors. which is a high proportion of approximately 15% of the total cost But it is understood that the oil fund is now in the negative of more than 100 billion baht. It may not be possible to hold down the price of diesel any longer than this. But the private sector also wants to call on the government to find other measures to help, such as setting up a joint public-private committee on energy. to dismantle the energy structure It will be a sustainable solution.
Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Mentioned raising the minimum wage to 400 baht per day in 10 pilot provinces. that will come into effect from April 13, 2024, that he has no objection because he believes that all parties understand the government and would like to see the labor group have higher incomes However, you must see that Can we afford it or not? Especially SMEs, so we want the g
overnment to listen to voices from all sides thoroughly. Especially in the hotel sector that may have an echo To find remedial measures for entrepreneurs who may be affected. But if there will be a salary increase several times per year and make the economy grow well. I believe that all parties are willing to consider it together.
Source: Thai News Agency
