The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has lauded the government’s welfare card scheme as not only beneficial to low-income earners but to retailers and the economy in general.
DIT Director-General Wichai Pochanakij estimates that welfare cards are now being used by over 11 million people nationwide, empowering them to purchase necessities at Blue Flag Pracharat stores. Most cardholders are farmers and laborers and their patronage has boosted the sales of small retailers and community shops, propping them up against heightened competition from large businesses. There are currently about 50,000 Blue Flag Pracharat stores spread out across the country.
Wichai mentioned that the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance have introduced the “Pracharat Money Bag” app to Blue Flag Pracharat stores so that they may better serve welfare card holders. The app is useful to sellers of chicken eggs, fruits and vegetables, market vendors, food vendors and mobile stores and should boost their sales. (NNT)
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