THAILAND: Commerce ministry strives to increase demand for rubber
The Ministry of Commerce is seeking new market channels to absorb rubber supplies in the country by increasing links between producers and industries in need.
Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa stated that the problem of price decline in the rubber industry is being tackled urgently by the Commerce Ministry. In an attempt to shore up demand as well as prices, she said the ministry is scouring the market for industries that may need to use rubber as a raw material.
So far, new demands have been found among producers of rubber pillows and floorings. The producers claimed processed rubber can be worth up to three times more than natural rubber in the market.
Any industries in need of rubber will be listed on the website of the Internal Trade Department in order for them to be contacted easily. It was recently discovered that a number of industrial operators still lack access to rubber sources, prompting the need for the Commerce Ministry to step in.
Source: NNT (National News Bureau of Thailand), Bangkok; 12 Jan 2016
(Syed Rashid Ali, Karachi, Pakistan)