Ministry to issue savings bonds soon : The Finance Ministry plans to offer special savings bonds worth 50 billion baht to the public to give taxpayers more investment alternatives to earn higher income as low interest rates and economic uncertainty prevail. Bangkok Post
Economic rehab plan en route : A 400-billion-baht borrowing plan intended for economic and social rehabilitation after the pandemic to strengthen the domestic economy will be added to the cabinet’s agenda next week, with the first batch expected to be doled out later this month. Bangkok Post
Asset managers get provident fund info : The capital market regulator has notified asset management firms of a ministerial mandate to permit employers to temporarily delay or halt provident fund contributions during the coronavirus crisis. Bangkok Post
SME debt scheme hampers loan access : The troubled debt restructuring (TDR) scheme offered to small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) was affected by subpar economic growth, a stumbling block for many firms in accessing additional lending as well as the central bank’s sponsored soft loans, says the head of the National Credit Bureau (NCB). Bangkok Post
NCB: Lenders’ NPL ratio rises to 8.1% : Gen X took on largest proportion of debt. The National Credit Bureau’s 104 members saw an upsurge in non-performing loan (NPL) ratio to 8.1% at the end of March from 6.8% a year earlier as headwinds such as the coronavirus outbreak took hold, says the NCB. Bangkok Post
‘Call for truth’ has laser intensity: Anti-govt movement gathering steam. The Progressive Movement is building up the intensity of its campaigns that exploit the memories of major political events in history in a bid to ignite a mass street protest against the government, according to political scientists. Bangkok Post
CRC to allow SMEs free sales space as part of growth plan : Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has rolled out a plan to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling with the pandemic by allowing free space at Robinson department stores. Bangkok Post
Bankruptcy an option for debt-stricken THAI, says Uttama : The Finance Ministry admitted yesterday that financially crippled Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) could go into debt rehabilitation under the bankruptcy law. Bangkok Post
FTI floats trade-in scheme for cars : Automotive industry gears up for lay-offs. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) will propose a car trade-in scheme to the government in a bid to boost domestic car demand and delay global automakers’ plans to lay off factory workers. Bangkok Post
Somkid: Aid for keeping employees on payroll coming : The Finance Ministry will offer assistance to business operators that pledge to keep workers on the payroll as the economy is ravaged by the pandemic, according to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak. Bangkok Post
