BANGKOK, 18 October 2014 The private sector has voiced readiness to heed the government’s drive to promote increased use of rubber in industries.
General Chatchai Sarikulya, the minister of commerce, met with rubber producers on Friday to discuss ways to promote more rubber export and an increased use of rubber domestically, in order to mend the problem of low rubber prices. The minister is slated to hold talks with individual industry groups that include car tyre manufacturers, rubber gloves makers and rubberwood processors next week; each of the industry groups uses para rubber in different ways. The minister revealed he has received affirmation from the private sector about the latter having the capacity to increase rubber usage. For exportation, however, regulations must be adjusted and incentives provided for the industries so the latter would increase export output.
Chen Namchaisiri, Federation of Thai Industries vice chairman, affirmed on Friday the rubber-related businesses are ready to cooperate in raising output. He also expressed the belief that rubber usage within the industry sector can be raised by 100,000 tons if there is a serious drive to make it happen.
Meanwhile, Nanthawan Sakuntanak, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, expressed her belief on Friday that the rubber price in the world market will not lower than what it is at present. She explained that the price had abnormally soared over the previous years because of stockpiling that was triggered by worries of an increased demand for rubber. The price has since become lower and more stable. However, she said demand for rubber will definitely increase in the future.
