Firm registrations hit by US levies

New business registrations are projected to stagnate at 85,000 this year, similar to 2024, due to US tariffs that could affect exports in the latter half, according to the Department of Business Development (DBD).

- PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

As a result, the private sector is adopting a wait-and-see approach, said Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the DBD. She said the number of new business registrations in the second half of this year could reach 41,000 or 42,000.

The total number of registrations this year is expected to be 85,000, said Ms Auramon, bolstered by government stimulus initiatives including “Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng’, a co-payment tourism initiative, and low-interest loans for small and medium-sized enterprises expected to promote domestic tourism and consumption.