By Mr. Sasern Wongcha-um Secretary General National Economic and Social Devleopment Board July 1999
The current economic and social situation in Thailand as well as that of the world has changed rapidly. Therefore, the Office of the national Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), whose main task is to formulate National Development Plans, should improve its roles in order to work effectively and to be consistent with the changing situation. Furthermore, we are now in the second half of the Eighth Plan, and the NESDB has already started the next Plan formulation process. For these reasons, it is appropriate to state some opinions about a broad concept of the National Development Plan formulation in the future which should be taken as personal opinions at this stage. These ideas may be grouped into two topics which may be summarized as follows.
1. NESDB Strengthening
Moving Toward an Expert Organization with the following characteristics.
(1) Possess strong technical know-how and expert knowlege, particularly economic and social data, needed for analyzing policy and giving advice on crucial issues facing Thailand to concerned authorities. The accurate and updated data would provide a firm foundation for other activities, such as, planning, setting economic warning system, as well as decision-making in economic and social administration. Furthermore, analytical skills should also be emphasized.
(2) Mobilize and retain high-quality and efficient personnel. Human resource development should be focused. In order to increase ability, knowledge and analytical skills of personnel. domestic as well as foreign education and training should be supported. Moreover, NESDB will initiate "Assessment Center" to evaluate potential of its personnel. This project aims at putting the right person on the right job, as well as assisting personnel improvement.
(3) Improve working system by upgrading data system operation skill. This is to ensure that the accurate and up-to-date data culd be used in planning as well as analyzing development projects and current issues. Priority should be given to the main short term and long term data system of Thailand such as Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly GDP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Imput-Output Tables of Thailand.
(4) Play role of central development co-ordinator. NESDB should plan or set guidelines for long-term National Development Planning. Networking among key organizations, such as, government agencies, private sector institutions, Non Government Organizations (NGOs), communities, media and academics, would be initiated. At present, NESDB has started the role of dovelopment coordinator, such as, networking with private organizations in order to create technical coorperation. For instance, NESDB coordinates with the Joint Public and Private Sectors Consultative Committee (JPPCC), consisting of private organizations, namely, Board of Trade of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, and Thai Banker's Association. NESDB also requests support from international organizations, such as; United Nations (UN) in order to initiate Thai-United nations Collaborative Action Plan (Thai-UNCAP) to support the Eighth Plan Civic Assembly Process. At the same time the World Bank is expected to provide support for NESDB restructuring project. As for the Asian Development Bank (ADB), NESDB expects to get support for the formulation of the Ninth Plan. With regard to linkages with the academic sector, NESDB has networked with domestic universities and private research centers to exchange macroeconomic data and results of research studies needed for policy formulation and eveluation.
(5) Maintain efficient evaluation system for long-term as well as overall plans. NESDB should strive to maintain credibility of technical expertise and quality and efficiency of work.
(6) Improve internal administration and moving toward an expert and flexible organization which is constantly up to date. The organizational arrangement will be in the form of specialized teams, which may be redeployed, and reinttegrated to fit the priority of work. Responsibilities of NESDB teamwork will be essentially holistic and in line with direction of national development. Coordination of work will be done in an integrated manner. Measure of success of work will be determined by the end results.
(7) Enhance roles of NESDB's Regional Devolopment Centers and Divisions. Evaluation process and data system development should be the points of concentration. Skills of NESDB offcials in analyzing, researching, studying and coordinating with NESDB Networks, such as, universities, government agencies, private sectors, communities, should be increased.
Guidelines for NESDB Strengthening
(1) Set up a development system for NESDB's main database, so that the data system could be operated effectively. The system should be supported by adequate quality and quantity of personnel, as well as necessary equipment.
(2) Sep up a working group responsible for economic and social system at a macro level. Sustainable development should also be emphasized.
(3) Set up a working group responsible for regional development and key projects in both economic and social areas. Prosperity decentralization, regional economic cooperation, as well as natural resources and environment rehabilitation should be emphasized.
(4) Sep up a working group responsible for evaluation process, in order to enhance NESDB's efficient operation.
(5) Set up a working group responsible for development communication for people at every level, in order to encourage good understanding and participation in national development process.
(6) Set up a working group responsible for competitiveness of Thailand in the world market. Emphasis should be on increasing productivity in industrial, agricultural, tourism, and service sectors, and infrastructure development, etc. Promotion of competitiveness under international rules and regulations should also be focused.
(7) Set up an efficient operating system for NESDB's ad hoc roles assigned by the government, such as serving as serving as secretariat of national committees.
2. The National Development Plan Formulation in the Future.
Fucus on Sustainalble Development and Competitiveness of Thailand.
(1) The National Development Plan in the Future should serve as guideline for long-term national development in terms of development strategy. It should focus on sustainable development and strengthen Thailand's competitiveness.
(2) Development pland or guideline should be in the form of development strategy. Strengths and weaknesses of Thailand as well as internal and external conditions should be considered, such as, trend of the world economy, world trade agreements, agreements which Thailand have to follow according to the economic and social cooperation with ASEAN as well as neighboring countries, namely, the Greater Mekong Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (GMS), and countries in southern region, nemely Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Project (IMT-GT). Trend of the world's changing environment, such as, Green house Effects, as well as El Nino and La Nina effects should also be studied in order to make proper adaptation. Eventually, Thailand's potential should be considered, so that pro-active and defensive strategies could be created appropriately, and bring about sustainable development.
(3) Guideline for Sustainable Development should strsss on human resource development. Development of education both inside and outside the system, should be emphasized in order to create skilled, disciplined, trainable labor force, which is also high in moral upbringing, People's quality of life, particularly health, should be improved by focusing on preventive rather than curative measures.
(4) Strong base of science and technology suitable for Thailand's condition should be built, so that Thailand could be more self-reliant and decrease dependence upon other countries.
(5) Position of Thailand should be defined. Bench Mark should be set for the evaluation of Thailand's important development potential. In order to define specialized areas for future development, potential of Thailand in various dimensions, such as, natural resources, quality of human resource and infrastucture, should be considered. For instance, if Thailand is considered as a country suitable for high-quality food production, the focal point should be the development of resources needed for food production, such as, agro-industry; researches, science and technology of food production and preservation, promotion for Thai people to consume high-quality, healthy and uncontaminated food; natural food production process; sanitary standard for food production process; and education for Thai people about quality of food.
(6) In order to enhance competitiveness of Thailand, productivity should be increased by improving efficiency of industrial and agricultural production. It would be a crucial factor for evaluation of competitiveness in the world market. Thailand's strength and weakness in every production sector should be indicated, so the competitiveness could be strengthened in the right way.
(7) Good Government should be the target for improvement and reform of administration system in terms of economic, social and political administrations, so that it could be efficient, qualified and effective. The improvement of administration system should be performed att 5 levels, namely, political sector, government sector, state enterprises, private sector, communities and families. Good Governance should include good long-term planning, efficient mechanism and organization, flexibility, updated rules and regulations, well-organized procedures and effective evaluation.
(8) Implement issues stated in the current constitution to abide by development conditions uner democratic rules.
(9) Natural resource and environment administration should be set. It should be planned for Thailand's long-term benefits in terms of conservation, rehabilitation and utilization, such as, the administration of water resource and forest development, as well as target setting for forest conservation and increase of forest area.
(10) Creat communities which are strong and have pleasant living environment. Community members should be disciplined and willing to participage in community development process. They should be encouraged to set physical plan, maintain environmental conditions which are good for their quality of lives, and be responsible for their communities. Guideline for the development, which leads to livable communities as well as livable towns, should be supported. Government sector would change its roles from a developer to an advisor who supports the development and facilitates the communities. Self-reliance of people should be promoted by strengthening the rural economy, while promoting moderation of consumption.
Conclusion
It could be said that NESDB should be improved and strengthened to become an expert organization in terms of technical analysis and data system. Its internal administration should be flexible and efficient. Its personnel should comprise high-quality officials. It should perform planning, advising and coordinating with other organizations in an efficient manner.
The National Development Plan formulation in the future should concentrate on sustainable development and increase in competitiveness so that Thailand could be more self-reliant. In sectors where Thailand possesses comparative advantages, they should be supported accordingly. Quality should be the most important focal point in order to bring about robust development and long-term benefits for the people.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 14, No. 9 : September 1999--
The current economic and social situation in Thailand as well as that of the world has changed rapidly. Therefore, the Office of the national Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), whose main task is to formulate National Development Plans, should improve its roles in order to work effectively and to be consistent with the changing situation. Furthermore, we are now in the second half of the Eighth Plan, and the NESDB has already started the next Plan formulation process. For these reasons, it is appropriate to state some opinions about a broad concept of the National Development Plan formulation in the future which should be taken as personal opinions at this stage. These ideas may be grouped into two topics which may be summarized as follows.
1. NESDB Strengthening
Moving Toward an Expert Organization with the following characteristics.
(1) Possess strong technical know-how and expert knowlege, particularly economic and social data, needed for analyzing policy and giving advice on crucial issues facing Thailand to concerned authorities. The accurate and updated data would provide a firm foundation for other activities, such as, planning, setting economic warning system, as well as decision-making in economic and social administration. Furthermore, analytical skills should also be emphasized.
(2) Mobilize and retain high-quality and efficient personnel. Human resource development should be focused. In order to increase ability, knowledge and analytical skills of personnel. domestic as well as foreign education and training should be supported. Moreover, NESDB will initiate "Assessment Center" to evaluate potential of its personnel. This project aims at putting the right person on the right job, as well as assisting personnel improvement.
(3) Improve working system by upgrading data system operation skill. This is to ensure that the accurate and up-to-date data culd be used in planning as well as analyzing development projects and current issues. Priority should be given to the main short term and long term data system of Thailand such as Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly GDP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Imput-Output Tables of Thailand.
(4) Play role of central development co-ordinator. NESDB should plan or set guidelines for long-term National Development Planning. Networking among key organizations, such as, government agencies, private sector institutions, Non Government Organizations (NGOs), communities, media and academics, would be initiated. At present, NESDB has started the role of dovelopment coordinator, such as, networking with private organizations in order to create technical coorperation. For instance, NESDB coordinates with the Joint Public and Private Sectors Consultative Committee (JPPCC), consisting of private organizations, namely, Board of Trade of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, and Thai Banker's Association. NESDB also requests support from international organizations, such as; United Nations (UN) in order to initiate Thai-United nations Collaborative Action Plan (Thai-UNCAP) to support the Eighth Plan Civic Assembly Process. At the same time the World Bank is expected to provide support for NESDB restructuring project. As for the Asian Development Bank (ADB), NESDB expects to get support for the formulation of the Ninth Plan. With regard to linkages with the academic sector, NESDB has networked with domestic universities and private research centers to exchange macroeconomic data and results of research studies needed for policy formulation and eveluation.
(5) Maintain efficient evaluation system for long-term as well as overall plans. NESDB should strive to maintain credibility of technical expertise and quality and efficiency of work.
(6) Improve internal administration and moving toward an expert and flexible organization which is constantly up to date. The organizational arrangement will be in the form of specialized teams, which may be redeployed, and reinttegrated to fit the priority of work. Responsibilities of NESDB teamwork will be essentially holistic and in line with direction of national development. Coordination of work will be done in an integrated manner. Measure of success of work will be determined by the end results.
(7) Enhance roles of NESDB's Regional Devolopment Centers and Divisions. Evaluation process and data system development should be the points of concentration. Skills of NESDB offcials in analyzing, researching, studying and coordinating with NESDB Networks, such as, universities, government agencies, private sectors, communities, should be increased.
Guidelines for NESDB Strengthening
(1) Set up a development system for NESDB's main database, so that the data system could be operated effectively. The system should be supported by adequate quality and quantity of personnel, as well as necessary equipment.
(2) Sep up a working group responsible for economic and social system at a macro level. Sustainable development should also be emphasized.
(3) Set up a working group responsible for regional development and key projects in both economic and social areas. Prosperity decentralization, regional economic cooperation, as well as natural resources and environment rehabilitation should be emphasized.
(4) Sep up a working group responsible for evaluation process, in order to enhance NESDB's efficient operation.
(5) Set up a working group responsible for development communication for people at every level, in order to encourage good understanding and participation in national development process.
(6) Set up a working group responsible for competitiveness of Thailand in the world market. Emphasis should be on increasing productivity in industrial, agricultural, tourism, and service sectors, and infrastructure development, etc. Promotion of competitiveness under international rules and regulations should also be focused.
(7) Set up an efficient operating system for NESDB's ad hoc roles assigned by the government, such as serving as serving as secretariat of national committees.
2. The National Development Plan Formulation in the Future.
Fucus on Sustainalble Development and Competitiveness of Thailand.
(1) The National Development Plan in the Future should serve as guideline for long-term national development in terms of development strategy. It should focus on sustainable development and strengthen Thailand's competitiveness.
(2) Development pland or guideline should be in the form of development strategy. Strengths and weaknesses of Thailand as well as internal and external conditions should be considered, such as, trend of the world economy, world trade agreements, agreements which Thailand have to follow according to the economic and social cooperation with ASEAN as well as neighboring countries, namely, the Greater Mekong Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (GMS), and countries in southern region, nemely Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Project (IMT-GT). Trend of the world's changing environment, such as, Green house Effects, as well as El Nino and La Nina effects should also be studied in order to make proper adaptation. Eventually, Thailand's potential should be considered, so that pro-active and defensive strategies could be created appropriately, and bring about sustainable development.
(3) Guideline for Sustainable Development should strsss on human resource development. Development of education both inside and outside the system, should be emphasized in order to create skilled, disciplined, trainable labor force, which is also high in moral upbringing, People's quality of life, particularly health, should be improved by focusing on preventive rather than curative measures.
(4) Strong base of science and technology suitable for Thailand's condition should be built, so that Thailand could be more self-reliant and decrease dependence upon other countries.
(5) Position of Thailand should be defined. Bench Mark should be set for the evaluation of Thailand's important development potential. In order to define specialized areas for future development, potential of Thailand in various dimensions, such as, natural resources, quality of human resource and infrastucture, should be considered. For instance, if Thailand is considered as a country suitable for high-quality food production, the focal point should be the development of resources needed for food production, such as, agro-industry; researches, science and technology of food production and preservation, promotion for Thai people to consume high-quality, healthy and uncontaminated food; natural food production process; sanitary standard for food production process; and education for Thai people about quality of food.
(6) In order to enhance competitiveness of Thailand, productivity should be increased by improving efficiency of industrial and agricultural production. It would be a crucial factor for evaluation of competitiveness in the world market. Thailand's strength and weakness in every production sector should be indicated, so the competitiveness could be strengthened in the right way.
(7) Good Government should be the target for improvement and reform of administration system in terms of economic, social and political administrations, so that it could be efficient, qualified and effective. The improvement of administration system should be performed att 5 levels, namely, political sector, government sector, state enterprises, private sector, communities and families. Good Governance should include good long-term planning, efficient mechanism and organization, flexibility, updated rules and regulations, well-organized procedures and effective evaluation.
(8) Implement issues stated in the current constitution to abide by development conditions uner democratic rules.
(9) Natural resource and environment administration should be set. It should be planned for Thailand's long-term benefits in terms of conservation, rehabilitation and utilization, such as, the administration of water resource and forest development, as well as target setting for forest conservation and increase of forest area.
(10) Creat communities which are strong and have pleasant living environment. Community members should be disciplined and willing to participage in community development process. They should be encouraged to set physical plan, maintain environmental conditions which are good for their quality of lives, and be responsible for their communities. Guideline for the development, which leads to livable communities as well as livable towns, should be supported. Government sector would change its roles from a developer to an advisor who supports the development and facilitates the communities. Self-reliance of people should be promoted by strengthening the rural economy, while promoting moderation of consumption.
Conclusion
It could be said that NESDB should be improved and strengthened to become an expert organization in terms of technical analysis and data system. Its internal administration should be flexible and efficient. Its personnel should comprise high-quality officials. It should perform planning, advising and coordinating with other organizations in an efficient manner.
The National Development Plan formulation in the future should concentrate on sustainable development and increase in competitiveness so that Thailand could be more self-reliant. In sectors where Thailand possesses comparative advantages, they should be supported accordingly. Quality should be the most important focal point in order to bring about robust development and long-term benefits for the people.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 14, No. 9 : September 1999--