Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that this year the ministry was focusing on developing key economically important cities nationwide, including the seven key hubs in the South.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak have announced plans to promote economic growth in the South under the “Triangle of stability, prosperity, and sustainability”.

The ministry will concentrate on developing the economies of the selected seven cities in the south. They are considered high potential cities for trading, as they are travel centres for Thais and Malaysians.

The government will develop those cities to become a centre of trading in the border southern provinces, to be an industrial centre, a production centre for agricultural products in terms of volume and value, a centre for quality food manufacturing, and halal food production.

Under the plan to develop the seven cities, the ministry will focus on human resources, support logistics linkage, and promote investment and trading.

Many activities will be launched in those cities such as trade fairs and exhibitions, walking street market, and open retail shops for selling cheap goods. The ministry’s Business Development Department will also help promote and train local enterprises so they are able to trade and expand investment in other areas.