BANGKOK, Aug 22 (TNA) – China-US trade war and drought
dragged down Thailand’s industries sentiment index to a 7-month low in
July.
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) announced on
Thursday the Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) dropped in July to 93.5,
down from 94.5 in June.
FTI chairman Praphan Mongkholsuthi said the trade war
tensions, global slowdown, drought and sluggish spending contributed to the low
confidence among business operators.
Uncertainties regarding the government’s economic stimulus
measures and concerns over minimum wage hike also worried respondents in the
FTI’s survey, he said.
The FTI’s policy recommendations to the government included
introducing more stimulus packages, speeding up budget disbursement, providing
assistance to grass root group and SMEs to inject cash flow into the economy,
Praphan noted.
Business operators also raised concerns over Thai baht
appreciation and political uncertainty, he added. (TNA)