NRSA taps ex-civil servants to spur reforms

Several former civil servants have been appointed as members of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) committee to push for economic reforms.

Sathit Limpongpan, the NRSA chairman overseeing economic reforms, revealed yesterday that the NRSA had chosen members of the committee to take charge of three economic sections — fiscal and financial concerns, the conventional economy and the “new economy”.

The new economy encompasses business ventures related to digital, creative, social, biological, science and technologybased economies, said Mr Sathit.

Key members the economic reform committee include Rangsan Sriworasart, a former permanent secretary for finance; Kanissorn Nawanukhro, a former deputy secretary-general for political affairs in the Yingluck Shinawatra government; and Manu Leopairote, former permanent secretary for industry.

Others are Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, former permanent secretary for agriculture and former agriculture and cooperatives minister, and Thaweesak Koanantakool, president of the National Science and Technology Development Agency.

Somchai Richupan, former directorgeneral of the Excise Department, will be the committee chairman.

Mr Somchai will also head the subcommittee on fiscal and financial reforms. Mr Manu will chair conventional economy reforms, and Mr Petipong will lead the new economy sub-group.

Even though the members are all former civil servants, they have stayed up-todate and are keen on reform issues, said Mr Sathit.

In another development, Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, spokesman of the NRSA, said the NRSA has approved a new 21-member committee to thwart corruption. National Anti-Corruption Commission president Panthep Klanarongran is chairing the committee, which will create public awareness about corruption and the need to suppress it.