OSMEP HEAD DETERMINED TO MODERNISE ORGANISATION

       The newly appointed director-general of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion has expressed his determination to modernise the organisation into an effective solution provider for SMEs.
       "I see challenges in front of me. But I would like to upgrade Osmep into a high-performance organisation that really helps strengthen SMEs, the country's economic root, to survive in the tough global competitive environment," said Yutthasak Supasorn, who was previously executive director of the National Food Institute of Thailand.
       He said he would highlight Osmep's role as a policy-maker for SMEs, similar to the broader role played by the National Economic and Social Development Board. In addition, it will be the centre for allocating funds to all SMEs-related projects, but will not operate the projects by itself.
       He accepts that in some people's minds the image of Osmep has been one of an agency that is not sufficiently transparent, so he has set a priority to recreate its image with his "3Gs" strategies - good governance, good standard and good management.
       As regards Osmep's SME promotion strategies, he plans to divid them into three groups - micro enterprises, One Tambon One Product and SMEs in the real sector - since the division will enable it to establish the proper scheme models for each.
       "Personally, I also think there should be a deduction of corporate income tax for SMEs in order to enhance their investment ability. But it is still a long-term strategy, as I have to talk to many related parties," he said.
       Yutthasak does not believe such a tax reduction would reduce the government's revenue income. On the contrary, it should be able to collect more revenue if more SMEs enter the tax system and have a greater ability to expand their investment.
       In 2010, Osmep has been approved a budget of Bt266 billion for its general projects in promoting SMEs. He added that the agency would expand its overseas network to support the potential of SMEs to invest abroad, particularly in Southeast Asia, which will implement the Asean Free Trade Agreement next year and the Asean Economic Community by 2015.