BANGKOK, 20 September 2012 – The government has instructed the Agriculture Ministry to make progress with the initiative to pave road with rubber.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Nattawut Saikuar said on Wednesday that during the joint meeting between the government, representatives from the state enterprises, and the private sector to discuss the country’s rubber business, it was agreed that the state-initiated rubber-paved road project in southern Nakhon Si Thammarat must be executed.
The initiative, intended to find added value to the rubber product by replacing tarmac with rubber on a 19-kilometer strip, is estimated to cost 85 million baht to complete.
Mr. Nattawut said that the meeting believes that the project will be essential in boosting Thai rubber prices and helping turn rubber producers into processors while promoting the rubber industry domestically.
According to the Deputy Agriculture Minister, Thailand’s rubber production stands at 3.5 million tons a year, with 86 percent of the output allocated for exports.
He added that the rubber-paved road project will help attract more foreign investors, who will be invited to witness the launch, expected within 3-4 months after the work begins.
Mr. Nattawut went on to say that, while the Prime Minister has instructed the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) to find ways to promote Thai rubber, she has also ordered the Agriculture Ministry to start overseas road shows to publicize the rubber-paved road project and the rubber industry.
