BANGKOK, 8th December 2018 (NNT) – Rubber producers have called on the government to prolong the “Shop for the Nation” campaign to boost sales of rubber-based products.
Speaking after his meeting with representatives of the rubber industry on Friday, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach said rubber entrepreneurs, growers, and tappers are asking the government to extend the “Shop for the Nation” campaign which will come to an end on January 16th next year for another 3-6 months, saying the country has already seen an increase in the sale of natural latex by 2,000 tons as a result of the campaign, which is equivalent to the total amount of latex sold since January this year. Should the campaign continue, they believe it will absorb up to 7,000 tons of latex now in the market.
Under the Shop for the Nation campaign which seeks to boost year-end spending, purchases of rubber tires between December 15th, 2017 and January 16th, 2018 are tax deductible.
The representatives also proposed that governmental agencies buy rubber-based products such as pillows, mattresses, and CPR mannequins for hospitals, pointing out that assistance from state agencies would relieve the oversupply of rubber by 200,000 tons.
Grisada said a committee will be appointed to review the proposal while the proposed extension of the Shop for the Nation campaign will be presented to next week’s cabinet meeting.
