Social Enterprise Co ‘not a threat’
The government yesterday defended a move to set up the Social Enterprise (Thailand) Co Ltd, saying it was not designed to allow capitalists to take over local business.
Under the scheme, young entrepreneurs look to create businesses that, instead of creating maximum profits, solve social problems and generate income for the most needy.
Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said because of the move to set up Social Enterprise (Thailand) there was a misunderstanding that capitalists would be able take over businesses that belonged to local people.
He insisted the move was to allow strong people to help weaker people. “We believe that when weak people can stand on their own feet, we all can walk ahead together,’’ Sansern said.
The project is to have provinces across the country hold a major stake of 76 per cent in the scheme. The remaining 24 per cent would be owned by large conglomerates such as True, AIS, Boon Rawd, ThaiBev, Sahapat, Mitr Phol and others.
Sansern said these conglomerates’ shareholdings would provide finance, without them getting returns or dividends. At a later stage, members of an executive board would join the company from five groups – the state, private sector, the public, academics, and the civic sector.
A holding company would be set up to provide consultation to operators on agriculture, food processing and tourism to visitor-oriented provinces such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Phetchaburi.
The project would be under the supervision of the grass-roots based Economic Development and State of the People Board, one of the 12 subcommittees of the Public-Private Steering Committee.
