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INVESTMENT FORECAST | by Manta Klangboonkrong SMEsSMEsTO THE RESCUETO THE RESCUEWith exports hit by a strong baht, tourist numbers down and the AEC set to commence this year, government and big business focus is turning to small and medium-sized enterprises to be the new cornerstone of the Thai economySix or seven years ago import and export businesses were some of the main drivers of the Thai economy. Now with an interim government, a stronger currency and a business climate in flux, and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) set to start linking the regional economies at the end of the year, the Prayuth Chan-o-cha administration has turned to an often neglected facet of the Thai economy – small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs). These generate smaller but more stable income revenues and have great potential to stimulate domestic business as a whole.Last year saw the launch of the Federation of Thai SMEs in an attempt to strengthen this often neglected but important facet of Thai industry. The federation spans over 70 networks in all types of Thai businesses and serves as an