Thailand Villagers Get Help in Quest for Markets.

Byline: Somporn Thapanachai

Oct. 2--Communities making products under the One Village, One Product programme are receiving help from the Export Promotion Department in finding markets.

The department's design centre was helping them tailor products to buyer's specifications, said Pansak Winyarat, adviser to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Rachane Potjanasuntorn, the deputy director-general of the department, said that officials were helping villagers make products for export. The work was being carried out mainly in northern provinces where home ornaments were made but the programme would be expanded nationwide. Some products were tailored for sale in Japan.

Mr Pansak asked Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik for a free hand to oversee the assistance.

The ministry is working with Central Pattana Co to market villagers' crafts in cities nationwide. As well, ministry staff have selected handicrafts from each province to exhibit at the Made In Thailand Fair with an eye to export.

Mr Rachane said a meeting would be held soon with the private sector to work out export priorities, the goal being to ship 40 percent of total exports to new markets and reduce reliance ...