The Finance Ministry is pushing to disburse at least 70% of the government’s fiscal year (FY) 2024 investment budget before the fiscal year ends in four months, Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said on Friday.

Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul’s plan to set up a new department for promoting the halal food industry is unlikely to materialise this year as the Cabinet Secretariat prohibits seeking budget allocation for new government agencies, a source said on Sunday.