Industry Ministry: A 20-billion-baht Lifeline for SMEs
Parallel to the public subsidies, Minister of Industry Varawut Silpa-archa announced a targeted 20-billion-baht injection to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) struggling with rising operational costs.
This industrial package is built upon a “Three Reductions” philosophy: reducing principal, interest rates, and monthly instalments for vulnerable debtors.
The Industry Ministry’s strategy focuses on three dimensions:
Capital Access: 20 billion baht in liquidity for small and medium players, featuring the “SME Green Productivity” loan. This offers a 3% fixed interest rate for the first three years to help factories upgrade to green technology.
Debtor Relief: Tailored restructuring for “fragile” businesses, allowing them to maintain employment and stay afloat despite energy price volatility.
Capacity Building: The “DX by SME D Bank” platform will provide 24-hour online training and workshops to help businesses “upskill” and pivot toward the green economy.
To fund these measures, the Cabinet has ordered all state agencies to “tighten their belts” by cancelling international study trips in favour of domestic alternatives.
Public sector employees have also been encouraged to Work From Home (WFH) where possible to reduce national energy consumption during the crisis.