Bangkok: The Ministry of Finance is preparing to propose the “Half-Half Plus” Phase 1.5 program, aimed at enhancing sales for stores that participate in government-provided sales skills training. The initiative will also address support measures for SME entrepreneurs and the progress on agricultural debt resolution.

According to Thai News Agency, the 4th/2025 meeting of the Economic Policy Committee, held at the Ministry of Finance, is set to consider several measures, including offering low-interest loans or soft loans through state-owned financial institutions and introducing tax measures from the Revenue Department. These measures will enable large companies to purchase goods from SMEs, allowing them to claim tax deductions, expedite tax refunds, and utilize digital systems for SME purchases, facilitating easier access to funding for entrepreneurs.

The meeting also included a progress report on the farmer debt resolution initiative. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives is tasked with establishing a dedicated asset management company to manage the debt, aiming to resolve the debt of approximately 100,000 farmers with non-performing loans, which total around 7-8 billion baht.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, plans to propose the “Half-Half Plus” Phase 1.5 program. This will provide funds or top-ups to participating merchants in the online sales skills enhancement program. The government will contribute an additional 10% to 20% of the funds, with a maximum of 2,000 baht per participant.

The program intends to boost sales following government training that includes courses on online sales, accounting, and the use of AI in sales. The funds for this initiative will be sourced from the remaining budget from Phase 1, which has not yet been distributed to the public.