BANGKOK, Sept 20 (TNA) — Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak expects Thailand to have a higher position in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking to be announced next month, on business facilitation efforts.
Mr Somkid was briefed on past efforts in business facilitation that was aimed at boosting investors’ confidence and strengthening domestic economy amid the global economic slowdown. On the occasion, he viewed that the value of baht was reflecting market circumstances and interest rates were not an important economic instrument for the time being.
Regarding business facilitation, authorities already reduced the waiting time for electricity supply installation to only one day and consequently the 77,500-baht cost of electricity supply request was eliminated.
Other efforts included an end to government organizations’ requirement for hard copies of documents, the faster, 90-day, refunds of the value-added tax, the electronic services of the Customs Department and the data integration of the Land Department and the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said the World Bank would announce its Ease of Doing Business ranking on Oct 30 and he expected Thailand to be ranked 25th, up from 27th last year. (TNA)
