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JUNE 2012

Govt lures local, foreign investors to buy stake in commodity bourses
[Intell Asia, 27 June 2012] The government is opening up Indonesia's commodity exchanges to public ownership, including foreign investors, to attract more trading business to the bourses.

Steel-pipe maker eyes 'integration'
[The Nation, 27 June 2012] Thai-German Products plans to spend Bt362 million on expanding production capacity to cash in on the seamless regional market. "We see the regional market integration of Asean as enlarging our customer base, particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where consumption of stainless-steel pipes is still low," managing director Rachata Leelaprachakul said yesterday.

New AWCMA-Board elected until 2015
[WIRE Newsletter, 25 June 2012] On June 1st, 2012, a general meeting of the Austrian association took place in Linz/Leonding to elect the board for the office period until end of 2015. Due to the very satisfactory results and activities achieved in the period between 2009 to 2012, the entire former board was elected renewedly in office until 2015.

Malaysia on track to achieve 5pct-6pct export growth, says trade minister
[Intell Asia, 23 June 2012] Malaysia is on track to achieve exports growth of 5 percent-6 percent in 2012 despite tepid global demand, the minister for International Trade and Industry said Thursday.

Thailand's Menam mulls joint venture in Indonesia
[Intell Asia, 23 June 2012] Menam Stainless Wire Co may set up a 400 million-baht production base in Jakarta. Managing director Rungrat Siriratanapanich said yesterday at the Manufacturing Expo 2012 in Bangkok that the company is looking for a strategic partner from Japan for the planned venture but gave no details.

Thailand tops Asean in developers
[Bangkok Post, 21 June 2012] For the first time, Thailand has more certified software developers than any other Asean country, indicating the country's regional edge in this field.

HCM City expects to complete metro 2 in 2017
[Inetll Asia, 21 June 2012] Although being kicked off construction after metro No1 route, metro No2 route has less underground construction and ground clearance therefore it is expected to be completed sooner.

Industrial confidence up again despite euro
[The Nation, 21 June 2012] Despite another improvement seen in May, industrial-industry confidence in the coming months could be disturbed by higher concern over the financial crunch in Europe and worries over political conflict in this country.

Indonesian H1 cement consumption at 26m/t
[Intell Asia, 21 June 2012] The Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) estimates that the national consumption of cement in the first half of 2012 will stand at 26 million tonnes, which is up 13 percent over the same period last year. ASI chair Widodo Santoso said the rise in consumption stems largely from the housing sector.

May vehicle production sets new record
[Bangkok Post, 21 June 2012] More than 200,000 vehicles were built in Thailand in May, which the Federation of Thai Industries' automotive industry club says is the highest monthly output in five decades of production.

Ministry proposes B120bn port expansion
[Intell Asia, 20 June 2012] The transport ministry has proposed a 120 billion-baht project over seven years to further expand Laem Chabang port in Chon Buri to ease congestion.

FTI tells firms to spread wings
[Bangkok Post, 20 June 2012] Companies are being urged to relocate investment to neighbouring countries to maintain competitiveness and reduce risk from domestic and external factors. Tanit Sorat, a vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said free trade in Asean and logistics among countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) will pose challenges for Thai firms.

Reforms offer opportunities to Thais
[The Nation, 20 June 2012] UTCC study forecasts that shipments to neighbour will rise. In line with Myanmar's expected growth, Thai shipments to the country should double by 2015, in time for the Asean Economic Community (AEC), a study by University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) found.

May car exports rise
[Bangkok Post, 20 June 2012] The number of vehicles exported in May totalled 85,988 units, up 122.44 per cent on May 2011 and an increase of 55.12 per cent over April, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, spokesman of the Automotive Industry Club, said on Wednesday.

Urban upgrading underway in Can Tho
[Intell Asia, 19 June 2012] The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is upgrading its urban infrastructure under a 90.3 million USD project funded by the World Bank (WB)'s loans.

SET in blitz of roadshows
[The Nation, 19 June 2012] The Stock Exchange of Thailand plans major roadshows, including an upcoming one in the United States, in a bid to woo more investment from foreign institutional investors.

Thais urge US lithium-ion maker to set up local plant
[Bangkok Post, 19 June 2012] Thailand is trying to convince the developer of the latest lithium-ion battery to manufacture it here using technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Economy overcomes most difficult stage: deputy PM
[Intell Asia, 19 June 2012] The national economy has passed the most difficult stage in its recovery and should grow well again, said deputy prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at Friday's Q&A session of the National Assembly.

Local firms urged not to miss out in Myanmar
[The Nation, 18 June 2012] Opportunities could be lost if Thais wait for clear-cut regulations to develop. Thai enterprises should cast extreme caution aside and start trading more with Myanmar and investing in its industries to promote growth for both sides, since the neighbouring country is already attracting huge interest from Western investors with its political and economic reforms, according to officials and bankers.

Detailed plan for new express railway out next year
[Intell Asia, 16 June 2012] The detailed plan of a project to develop a new express railway from HCM City to Can Tho will be complete next year, according to the Southern Transport Design and Consulting JSC as the project's consultant.

Kittiratt: AEC favours the bold, so take your chances
[Bangkok Post, 16 June 2012] Thai businesses are being urged to take an aggressive approach to the upcoming regional economic integration or risk losing business opportunities, says Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

Thai PTTEP to invest $2.6b in SE Asia, looks at M&A
[Intell Asia, 16 June 2012] Thailand's top oil and gas explorer, PTT Exploration and Production Pcl (PTTEP) PTTE.BK, plans to invest $2.6 billion in Southeast Asia over the next five years, mainly in Myanmar, and is on track to triple its production to 900,000 barrels per day by 2020, its newly-appointed chief executive said.

Thai Oil plans $1.8 bn investments over 5 years
[The Nation, 15 June 2012] Thai Oil, led by new chief executive officer Veerasak Kositpaisal, yesterday announced that it would invest at least US$1.8 billion (Bt56.7 billion) in the next five years (to 2016) on value creation and efficiency boosts for its oil-refinery, petrochemicals, lubricant-base and energy segments.

Country will be among world's Top-10 producers: TAIA chief
[The Nation, 14 June 2012] Association raises yearly sales forecast to 2.2m vehicles, up from 2.1m. Piangjai Kaewsuwan, Nissan Motor (Thailand) vice president for government affairs, has been elected president of the Thai Automobile Industry Association (TAIA) for a second consecutive term.

Bt8-bn expansion for True network
[The Nation, 14 June 2012] True Internet will invest Bt8 billion in network infrastructure next year and expects to grow revenue by 33 per cent to about Bt8.5 billion from Internet business services this year.

Forklift maker eyes Thai base
[The Nation, 13 June 2012] Anhui HeLi, a giant Chinese forklift maker, is eyeing Thailand as its production base for industrial vehicles.

Aust auto sector eyes greater role for Thais
[The Nation, 12 June 2012] Australian automotive suppliers are hoping to play a larger role in the Thai auto industry, particularly in terms of raising design and engineering capabilities.

BoI: Investment up in May
[Bangkok Post, 12 June 2012] A total of 200 investment applications with a combined worth of 82.5 billion baht were submitted to the Board of Investment (BoI) for investment privileges in May, the investment promotion agency reported on Tuesday.

Thailand sparking Bosch growth
[The Nation, 13 June 2012] Thailand is set to serve as a major market for Bosch Group in the Asean region, with consolidated sales of Bt8.9 billion in 2011, up 25 per cent compared to the previous year.

TMB Bank loan backs Chow Steel amid growing demand
[The Nation, 9 June 2012] TMB Bank has lent Bt450 million to Chow Steel Industries, a manufacturer of steel billets, reflecting the bank's goal of providing financial support to upstream steel businesses.

Volvo to move its production base from China
[The Nation, 4 June 2012] Seeks Thai presence to tap AEC market. Swedish auto giant Volvo will soon move its production base from China to Thailand, to capitalise on the Kingdom's potential to serve as an Asean hub under the Asean Economic Community (AEC), which comes into effect in 2015.

Building a foundation for Myanmar
[Bangkok Post, 4 June 2012] Investors are keen but government needs to show them an infrastructure action plan. All roads these days are leading toward resource-rich Myanmar, but the country still lacks a clear plan for overall infrastructure development to propel its economic growth in long term, says Jaturun Siraphongphan, managing director of CEL Engineers, a Thai engineering consultant and construction management firm.

Surin: Asean needs more innovation, R&D
[Bangkok Post, 2 June 2012] Innovation is the key to breaking the "middle-income trap", which Asean countries outside of Singapore all face, says Surin Pitsuwan, the Asean secretary-general. Mr Surin, in an address to the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations, said without investment in innovation and R&D, escaping the trap will be difficult.

Nod for more foreign firms
[The Nation, 2 June 2012] Another 23 foreign companies received approval to set up businesses in Thailand last month, with total initial investment of at least Bt760 million, a Business Development Department report showed.

$400m Intel venture fund to kick-start innovation
[Bangkok Post, 1 June 2012] Intel Corporation has earmarked US$400 million as venture capital worldwide this year as part of its expansion and growth strategies. About $17 million will be devoted to ventures in Southeast Asia, said Sudheer Kuppam, managing director for Asia Pacific at Intel Capital, the investment arm of the world's biggest processor maker.

Big expansion planned for overcrowded Bangkok airport
[Intell Asia, 1 June 2012] Airports of Thailand Pcl (AOT) AOT.BK is to spend about $1.9 billion over the next five years to expand capacity at Bangkok's overcrowded Suvarnabhumi airport by a third, its president said on Wednesday.

MAY 2012

Surin: Fixing education is the way forward in AEC
[Bangkok Post, 31 May 2012] Thailand needs to speed up improvements to its educational system and support Thai enterprises investing across Asean borders to ensure the country's preparedness for regional integration under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Thailand to be centre for Fujitsu's move into 4 new markets
[The Nation, 31 May 2012] Japanese IT company Fujitsu aims to double its revenue in Asia in two years, using Thailand as the centre of its foray into four new markets: Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Thailand to join WTO procurement framework
[Bangkok Post, 31 May 2012] Thailand will look to participate in a framework under the World Trade Organisation that commits members to transparency in government procurement, Kittiratt Na-Ranong, the finance minister and deputy prime minister, said on Thursday.

Thailand's PTTEP, Burma to sign contract
[Intell Asia, 30 May 2012] Thailand's PTTEP said it hopes to sign a petroleum-sharing contract with Myanmar's government in June.

Myanmar reaches out
[Bangkok Post, 28 May 2012] Industry Minister Soe Thane says new investment rules will be ready soon, and while near-term focus will be on building a base of small-scale industries, stalled Dawei megaproject is still viable.

Digging Indonesia
[Bangkok Post, 28 May 2012] Moves to protect huge mining sector spook some foreign investors, but country's appeal is too strong to keep them away for long.

Thai foreign investment incentives placed in the spotlight
[Bangkok Post, 26 May 2012] The government has pledged to speed up incentives and other measures aimed at promoting Thai investment abroad. "We will accelerate drafting new measures including tax holidays and facilities to provide services to Thais investing abroad," Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti told a seminar in Bangkok yesterday.

Caterpillar: Thailand our Asean hub
[Bangkok Post, 25 May 2012] With an investment of US$300 million, Caterpillar Inc, the world's top maker of construction equipment, is in the process of turning Thailand into its main Southeast Asian production base. Two factories are being built in Hemaraj Rayong Industrial Land, with 95% of the output slated for export.

I'nesia on the road to becoming Thailand's rival
[The Nation, 24 May 2012] Apart from Myanmar, the other Asean country that is being closely watched is Indonesia, due to its stronger role in regional politics and economics, as well as noticeable policy implementations.

Thai economy rebounds strongly from flood crisis
[Intell Asia, 23 May 2012] Thailand's economy posted double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2012, rebounding sharply from the fallout of last year's devastating floods, official data showed Monday.

Thailand announces "ISO 20121" Event Sustainability Management Systems
[TCEB, 23 May 2012] Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB is collaborating with SGS to introduce the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems to the MICE players. Thailand will be the first country in Asia to launch the standard in July, as the 2012 Olympic Games are staged in London. The new standards aim to elevate Thailand's MICE industry to meet world standards.

Thailand Unveils 3rd Quarter MICE Strategic Plan at IMEX 2012
[TCEB, 23 May 2012] Thailand today unveiled its 'Thailand Ultimate Choice for All' Q3/2012 Strategic Plan for the MICE industry, building on the success of its 'Thailand Destination of Choices' campaign. TCEB has identified 5 key MICE market segments with significant potential for growth, and will also present several new MICE Cities exhibiting for the first time at IMEX 2012. Thailand's MICE industry has shown strong performance in early 2012, and MICE revenue growth is expected to meet its ambitious year-end target.

Aust, Malaysia to sign free trade deal
[Intell Asia, 23 May 2012] Trade minister Craig Emerson heads to Malaysia on Monday to sign a new free trade agreement.

The rise of Asia and reverse innovation
[Bangkok Post, 23 May 2012] Will Asia reinvent itself as the world's innovation capital? This would have been an easy question to answer if we had the privilege to have the world-famous French astrologer Nostradamus among us. Unfortunately, we do not have that option today, so let's try to make sense of the signals around us that will help find an answer to this question.

Toshiba carrier Bt2 bn earmarked for second factory
[The Nation, 22 May 2012] Air-con firm to complete new Thailand plant by February. Toshiba Carrier (Thailand), a joint venture between Toshiba Carrier Corporation Japan and Connecticut-based Carrier Corp, announced yesterday that it would invest Bt2 billion on its second air-conditioner factory in Thailand.

Can emerging Asia prosper against the backdrop of Europe's lost decade?
[The Nation, 21 May 2012] Many market observers are now heralding Asia, led by China and India, as the new global economic locomotive as the powerhouses of Europe and America crumble under crushing debt.

New TCEB campaign aimed at boosting Mice trade
[Bangkok Post, 21 May 2012] The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will introduce a new marketing campaign in an effort to attract more meetings and conferences. "Thailand: The Ultimate Choice for All" will target the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) industry and continue until year-end.

Car output set to hit record 2 million units
[The Nation, 18 May 2012] Domestic car output is expected to reach 2 million units this year, an all-time record, mainly driven by the resumption of production by giant carmakers, according to the Federation of Thai Industries.

EU export growth goal maintained
[Bangkok Post, 18 May 2012] Despite the debt crisis in Greece, the Commerce Ministry is sticking to its 15% growth target for Thai exports to the EU this year. But Thailand is trying to diversify its exports to countries such as India, China and Russia, said Vuthichai Duangratana, deputy director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department.

Malaysia, Australia to sign free trade pact next week
[MySynch.com, 17 May 2012] Malaysia and Australia will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) here on Tuesday. It will be Malaysia's sixth bilateral FTA.

Economic growth expected to boost sales
[The Nation, 17 May 2012] Buoyant economic growth is expected to spur on the demand for vehicles in Thailand in May following the 20-per-cent increase in sales in the first four months.

Industry confidence up in April
[Bangkok Post, 17 May 2012] Thai industries sentiment index for April went up to 104.0, from 102.1 reported in March, Payungsak Chartsuthipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said on Thursday. Industry confidence had now stood above the 100 level for three straight months, sending a signal that the production sector was likely to return to normal, after being hard hit by the great flood late last year, said Mr Payungsak.

BoI: FDI up 44% in first 4 months
[Bangkok Post, 16 May 2012] Foreign direct investment (FDI) over the first four months of the year (Jan-April) was up 44 per cent from the same period last year, Hiranya Sujinai, an investment adviser to the Board of Investment (BoI) said on Wednesday. Over the period, a total of 407 investment applications with a combined worth of 155.49 billion baht were submitted to the BoI for investment privileges, she said.

Thailand's economic growth projected at 5.5pct in 2012: IMF
[Intell Asia, 14 May 2012] The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that Thailand's economic growth in 2012 will be 5.5 per cent, but warned that significant downside risks still remain due to uncertainties from the global economy and the progress of flood-prevention measures, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

Rosy future ahead for industry, says TAI ex-boss
[The Nation, 10 May 2012] Since it was created more than 50 years ago, the Thai auto industry has never seen the sudden growth it is witnessing today.

Ford opens huge manufacturing plant
[The Nation, 9 May 2012] Ford Motor Company officially opened its new US$450-million (Bt13.94 billion) passenger vehicle manufacturing plant Ford Manufacturing Thailand in the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong), with a number of dignitaries and guests in attendance.

Thailand, Japan target Bt100-bn trade by 2017
[Intell Asia, 5 May 2012] Thailand and Japan have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion (Bt3 trillion) by 2017, thanks to closer trade and investment cooperation under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (Jtepa).

APRIL 2012

Ford's new Rayong plant to start up in late June
[The Nation, 27 April 2012] Ford Thailand's passenger-car plant in Rayong will formally start up production on June 26.

Private plants to get larger share in power generation
[Bangkok Post, 27 April 2012] The government is planning to allow private power plants to have a greater share of the country's power production in a move to improve power production efficiency and lower state costs.

Singapore-Vietnam industrial parks draw US$5.3b in investments
[Channel News Asia, 26 April 2012] Singapore's four joint industrial parks in Vietnam have pulled investments worth some US$5.3 billion since the first one started in 1996.

Ford and Mazda invest $27m in pickup plant expansion
[Bangkok Post, 26 April 2012] Strong local demand for Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 pickup trucks has prompted Ford and Mazda to expand their AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) joint-venture plant in Rayong.

ICT market forecast to grow 11.2% this year
[The Nation, 26 April 2012] The market for information and communications technology is expected to grow 11.2 per cent this year to Bt591.6 billion, of which Bt444.4 billion is in the telecommunication segment. The rest is computer hardware, software and services.

Economists see brighter outlook
[Bangkok Post, 26 April 2012] Leading economists believe the economy in the second quarter of the year will be improved over the first quarter and that the outlook is brighter over the next three to six months, Bangkok Poll said on Thursday.

L&E well placed as Asian lighting sector shines
[The Nation, 24 April 2012] Asia is expected to replace the United States and Europe as the main driver of the lighting industry, and supporting manufacturers such as chipmakers are looking to become key players in the sector, said Pakorn Borimasporn, chief executive officer of Lighting & Equipment.

wire 2014 and Tube 2014: Leading global trade fairs to held in Duesseldorf again from 7 to 11 April
[wire, 23 April 2012] The two leading global trade fairs wire, International Trade Fair for Wire and Cable, and Tube, International Tube Trade Fair, can look back on a successful edition in 2012 announcing outstanding exhibitor numbers, increased exhibition space and an overall very positive mood.

Tube Duesseldorf 2012 - the biggest and best to date
[ITA, 20 April 2012] The ITA participated at Tube 2012 with an imposing new look stand in hall 4, providing a comprehensive range of support services for ITA members and their guests. Advice on technical matters as well as information about ITA events and the ITA's unique range of membership benefits was provided by the new executive secretary Peter Byroslawsky and attending board members Steve Loynes and Andy Houghton.

Q2 export growth of 9.8% projected
[Bangkok Post, 18 April 2012] Thai exports are expected to pick up in the second quarter, rising 9.8% over the same period a year earlier after contracting 1.6% in the first quarter.

Subaru eyes high potential in Thailand
[The Nation, 17 April 2012] Thailand is seen as one of the brightest "new" Asean markets for Subaru, alongside Malaysia and Indonesia, as the auto-maker aims to strengthen its brand image and build up its marketing effort over the next few years.

Thailand, China to set trade target
[Bangkok Post, 16 April 2012] The leaders of Thailand and China are likely to announce a joint push for bilateral trade to reach US$120 billion in five years, double last year's total, says Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom.

PM's Export Awards back bid to boost competitiveness
[The Nation, 13 April 2012] The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) of the Commerce Ministry has set as an urgent mission for this year of increasing the capabilities of Thai manufacturers to compete in the Asean and global markets.

New index ranks nations as attractive export destinations
[The Nation, 13 April 2012] Fi3E, a new index that measures the relative attractiveness of 180 nations to companies looking to export goods and services abroad, is being introduced today by Fluent in Foreign LLC, a New York City advisory group that guides companies as they seek to establish or expand their business internationally.

Eco-cars start new revolution in Thailand
[The Nation, 12 April 2012] The arrival of the Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Swift city cars has appeared to start a new revolution in Thailand's automobile industry, as the eco-car project is now close to conclusion in terms of investment figures as well as market acceptance.

Toyota plans van-making, source says
[Bangkok Post, 12 April 2012] Toyota intends to build HiAce and Commuter vans in Thailand to substitute entirely for imports by year-end, the first time that such vehicles will be made locally, says an industry source.

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