WTO calls for easier access to soft loans

PHUKET CITY: World Tourism Organization (WTO) consultant JK Robert England today called for more flexibility in providing soft loans to tourism-related small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the post-tsunami environment.

Speaking after meeting with Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura, he said, “The government has been amazingly successful so far in response to an unprecedented problem. However, more things can be done, more programs can be initiated.

“If you are a small business, one of the things you most want is relatively easy access to soft loans. You don’t want to have to provide too much documentation because that may be very difficult to provide.

“It may be very easy for you to service your loans but difficult to get the loan in the first place. Maybe a little bit more flexibility is required for that.”

Mr England is in Phuket to conduct research into the support being provided to tsunami-affected SMEs in the tourism industry, including reviewing the government’s initiatives and the provision of soft loans.

He said that his recommendations would be reported to WTO headquarters, which will pass them on to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports.