BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Thailand’s government is developing a strategyto promote plant-based bio-industry in order to reduce the country'simports of energy and chemicals.

The strategy will focus on the development of bio-diesel using natural rawmaterials, including cassava, sugar cane, rice and oil palm extracts, theDirector-General of the Office of Industrial Economics, ChutapornLumbasara, told TNA on Sunday.

The government expects the strategy to help reduce Thailand’s huge importsof energy and chemicals costing 40 billion dollars a year.

Ethanol made from plants, like sugar cane, can be mixed with alcohol toproduce gasohol, a more natural and cheaper form of fuel.

Other plant products, like oil palm, can be blended with diesel to createyet another type of alternative fuel.

So far Thailand has concentrated on producing energy from plants, Mrs.Chutaporn said.

The Office of Industrial Economics is studying which key industries shouldbe developed using alternate forms of energy. (TNA)