About half of 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have won auctions for state projects worth around 68 billion baht under the Made-in-Thailand campaign, which promotes the use of locally made products and is aimed at boosting the economy.
The scheme is meant to help local businesses, including SMEs, through state procurement projects.
There are 2,000 companies already registered to join the scheme between January and June and the figure is expected to increase to 5,000 within this year, with a variety of products amounting to 50,000 items, said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
SMEs which are interested in the scheme must register through the Comptroller General's Department.
The top five products to be procured under the scheme are construction materials, followed by electronic products, air conditioners, medical equipment and garments and textiles.
"The Made-in-Thailand scheme will support local products that will be used in state infrastructure development and other investment projects," said Mr Supant.
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said earlier the scheme sets the proportion of local products at no less than 60% of the total used for state projects.
If the items used are steel and iron, the proportion rises to 90%, he said.
According to the Industry Ministry, the government allocated a budget worth 1.77 trillion baht in fiscal 2021 for state procurement projects.
The government expects the scheme to be able to create economic value worth 1 trillion baht.
FTI earlier said companies that want to join the scheme can submit their applications to the federation.
