Help out SMEs
Re: "Stronger SME links 'key' to sustainability", (Business, Oct 12).
SMEs in Thailand are in critical condition. Despite the fact they make up about 90% of business in the country, they receive only 18% outstanding credit from commercial banks and contribute 35% of GDP. These statistics highlight the pervasive inequality in Thai economic system. The government must do something to tackle this problem.
If we read and generalise these facts thoroughly, there is a lack of sufficient credit disbursement in the economy. In some countries, central banks have used commercial banks to increase local investment by giving loans to poor borrowers, especially women. To make rural credit available and accessible, rural banks and borrowers conduct a monitoring mechanism to examine and supervise credit utilisation and public debt servicing capability to obtain an allocation of debt repayment. Communities and borrowers need to have savings.
The successful microfinance bodies show common features about helping cash-strapped SMEs, too.
Stop the madness
Re: "Not terrorists", (PostBag, Oct 12).
I have to agree with Colin Roth that the UNWRA isn't a terrorist group. How can an organisation which helps provide refuge and food for displaced Palestinians from Israel's brutal assaults on their land be considered a terrorist group? It defies all common sense.
From initially attacking the Palestinians, Israel has now gone on to attack Lebanon and other areas of the Middle East; it now has battles going on on about seven different fronts. I think it's time to stop the madness.
Whither a Churchill?
Re: "US warns Israel to avoid a repeat of Gaza", (World, Oct 11).
The Biden/Harris team supports Israel's right to self-defence yet restricts its ability to do so. They demanded Israel stay out of Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel attacked and found the tunnels through which Gazan terrorists received supplies, weapons and fighters. Clearly, Israel was right, but Biden/Harris punished Israel by withholding materials from them.
On Oct 1, Iran, for the second time, launched a massive rocket and missile attack on Israel. Again, Biden/Harris are interfering. It is difficult not to see the parallel with Neville Chamberlain's claim in 1938 to have brought "peace for our time". Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler did not prevent WWII. Capitulating to Iran will not diminish its plan of nuking Israel. This is a clash of civilisations. The ultimate goal is to replace the Big Satan with a Caliphate.
Biden is demanding Israel not retaliate by bombing Iran's nuclear facilities. These are the sites Iran will use to wipe out Israel. We need a Churchill at a time like this.
Bar questions
Is there anybody out there who can confirm bar closures this coming Thursday (17th), which happens to be the end of Buddhist Lent? Reason/authority would be handy. Seemingly a new addition to traditional said days. I personally show my respect for the "Land of Smiles" daily. Supporting wonderful family. Oh, if true simply upsets my daily routine.
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