Bangkok: Knock! Half-and-Half Plus shops receive an additional 2,000 baht – training in 3 new skills for increased sales, reduced costs, and easier loan applications. Starting November 19th. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, stated that the recent Cabinet meeting approved an upskilling/reskilling project for participating merchants in the “Half-Half Plus” program. This project aims to enhance the competitiveness of small businesses nationwide, with the goal of tangible sales and cost reductions.
According to Thai News Agency, this new project will promote three key skills: sales skills both in-store and on online platforms, financial skills with a focus on calculating costs and setting optimal selling prices, and digital skills to leverage technology for store management, cost reduction, and customer outreach. Currently, there are more than 950,000 participating merchants in the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” scheme. The government wants merchants to develop skills to “sell better, increase profits, and reduce costs.”
The government is also preparing to provide digital tools, such as an online accounting system, free for six months. They will also allow merchants to apply for loans from the Government Savings Bank, up to 50,000 baht per person, after completing accounting training. This will help reduce reliance on informal loans.
It also joins forces with four major platforms: Grab, LINE MAN, Shopee, and Robinhood to facilitate data verification and access to loans. Under the skills development project, stores that participate in the training will receive an additional 2,000 baht per store through a sales top-up. For example, if you buy 200 baht, the government will help with 100 baht, and if you pay 100 baht, the government will add another 20% of the government’s share (100 baht) as an incentive for stores to participate in learning all three skills. This special privilege is limited to only 400,000 stores. Old stores can start training immediately, but new stores must register first.
Vendors already in the existing “Kon La Khrueng Plus” program can begin training from November 19th through all four platforms. New vendors must register via the “Kon La Khrueng Plus” website and undergo verification by the Ministry of Interior before Krungthai Bank will install the “Tung Ngern” app for use.