Thailand in the World Economic & Overseas Projects News 2012 ‎

[napoleon]

Central's retailer in Italy expands

THE NATION January 20, 2012 1:00 am

Despite the economic slowdown in Europe, Thai-owned Italian department-store chain La Rinascente has earmarked

The firm expects to enjoy 10-per-cent growth this year after setting a sales record of €430 million last year.

The 150-year-old La Rinascente was bought last May by Central Retail Corporation (CRC), Thailand's leading retail and department-store business, for €205 million. The new owner aims to strengthen the brand in Italy and export its products, as well as expand in Europe.

Chief executive officer Vittorio Radice said yesterday that the investments would come from La Rinascente's cash flow and loans, with most of the funds going to renovate its store in Milan, Milano Piazza Duomo, and 10 stores in Turin, Genoa, Palermo, Catania, Cagliari, Padova and Monza. Also, two extra floors and a cafe terrace will be added to the Florence store.

Construction has begun in earnest on its second store in the centre of Rome. Due to open in 2014, it will have 15,000 square metres of floor space on several storeys.

The company recently obtained a licence from Venice authorities to use a 900-year-old building. As this 10,000sqm site was used first as a warehouse and then as post office for many years, the company had to invest about €40 million to renovate and decorate it.

Radice added that this major renovation was aimed at luring international visitors, particularly from economically booming countries in Asia and the Middle East; tourist arrivals from Europe and the United States have been stagnant for years.

"Although the company has become part of CRC and aims to reposition itself as a luxury brand, its Italian legacy will remain a key unique selling point of La Rinascente," Radice said.

He said 30 per cent of total visitors at the stores in Milan were from Asia and the Middle East. Based on credit-card payments, tourists from Saudi Arabia were the biggest spenders at €920 per head, followed by the Taiwanese (€798), snapping at whose heels are mainland Chinese (€759).

"Amid the slowdown in Europe, the number of tourists from emerging countries is growing," Radice said.

The company's plan for the time being is to focus on local expansion with more stores in major tourist destinations such as Rome, Venice, Milan and Florence.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30174122.html

[napoleon]

TUF looks to expand tuna empire abroad African factories allow exports without tariffs

Published: 20/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

SET-listed Thai Union Frozen Products Plc (TUF), the world's largest canned tuna company, expects annual revenue to rise to US$8 billion by 2020 on continuous growth in global food demand.

Chairman Kraisorn Chansiri said TUF predicts total revenue of $4 billion and $5 billion in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Last year, TUF posted a 40% increase in turnover to $3 billion. In the first nine months of 2011, TUF's net profit rose 30% year-on-year to 3.5 billion baht on total revenue of 72 billion baht ($2.4 billion), said Mr Kraisorn, who has been dubbed the world's King of Tuna.

Now 77 years old, he has been honored by the Right Livelihood (Summacheep) Foundation as the business person of year for 2011.

The father of TUF president Thiraphong Chansiri set up the business 35 years ago with initial capital of $1 million.

His business empire grew from 150 employees to 30,000 at present. In 1997, TUF joined with an Italian partner to acquire US-based Chicken of the Sea before gaining 100% of the joint venture in 2001.

Mr Kraisorn said TUF survived the 1997 financial crisis, which spread out from Thailand, because it had no foreign debt.

"I prefer acquiring foreign companies to having joint venture partners because cultural difference may lead to a problem," said the chairman, who now plays the role of adviser and strategist while focusing on financial matters for TUF.

Mr Thiraphong said that without major investment, the company aims for sales growth of 20% this year.

To achieve the 2020 target of $8 billion, TUF will focus its investment on six products: tuna, shrimp, sardines, salmon, squid, ready-to-eat food and cat food.

"We will invest with the capacity that we have in order to minimise potential risk," Mr Thiraphong said, adding that the debt-to-equity ratio would be curbed at no more than 1.1.

In mid-2010, TUF acquired France's MW Brands for 680 million, pushing its D/E ratio to 1.6 before easing to 1.1 now.

But with factories in Seychelles and Ghana, the acquisition paved the way for TUF to export to the European market tariff-free, compared with 24% for products shipped from Thailand.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-empire-abroad

[napoleon]

Banpu ups stakes in Australia, Indonesia

The Nation January 21, 2012 1:00 am

Chief financial officer Somrudee Chaimongkol said the $600-million budget would mainly come from its cash flow.

In response to rumours of a planned divestiture of its stakes in Chinese mines after the sale of its interest in the Daning mine in the northeastern province of Shanxi, Somrudee said Banpu had no such plan, as it needed to keep Chinese assets for adding value.

Gaohe mine in Shanxi province will start coal production this year and will be one of cash drivers for the company, apart from its power business in China.

Banpu will focus on developing existing mines in Indonesia and Australia to optimise their production capacity this year. The company's business-development team is considering opportunities for mine acquisition.

Currently, the company has a team in Mongolia on expectation of starting production in the next two or three years. The Mongolian operation is expected to have annual production capacity of 3 million to 5 million tonnes.

Somrudee expects Banpu's revenue to grow 15-20 per cent this year mainly on higher coal production and higher average selling prices. Last year, the company registered Bt100 billion in revenue.

The company forecasts its coal sales at 46 million tonnes this year. About 27 million tonnes of that will come from Indonesian mines, 16 million tonnes from Australian operations and the remaining 3 million tonnes from China.

Banpu has already sold about half of this year's anticipated coal output under forward contracts, with prices averaging more than $100 a tonne. The company's coal sales averaged about $97 a tonne in 2011.

Coal prices are expected to be on a positive trend on higher demand in China and Japan.

Somrudee said Banpu was studying the sale of Bt7 billion to Bt10 billion of bonds in Thailand or overseas this year. The proceeds would lessen its interest burden. The company has debts of about Bt4 billion to Bt5 billion set to fall due this year.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30174214.html

[napoleon]

ตามคาด ! เบ็ดเสร็จปี 54 ไทยขาดดุลการค้า FTA 7,606 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ
วันที่ 21 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2555 เวลา 17:02:41 น.


นายยรรยง พวงราช ปลัดกระทรวงพาณิชย์ แถลงข่าว การค้าระหว่างประเทศของไทย ในส่วนของ การใช้สิทธิพิเศษทางภาษีศุลกากรจากความตกลง FTA (7 ฉบับ คือ AFTA ญี่ปุ่น อินเดีย จีน ออสเตรเลีย นิวซีแลนด์ และเกาหลีใต้)ว่า การค้าเดือนธันวาคม 2554 การส่งออกไปประเทศคู่ค้า FTA มีมูลค่ารวม 9,436 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน ร้อยละ 4.5 เป็นการใช้สิทธิพิเศษทางภาษีศุลกากรภายใต้ FTA มูลค่า 3,106 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน ร้อยละ 5.2 โดยประเทศที่ใช้ สิทธิฯ เรียง 3 ลำดับแรก ได้แก่ AFTA จีน และญี่ปุ่น

การนำเข้า มีมูลค่า 11,515 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน ร้อยละ 20.1 ดุลการค้า ไทยขาดดุลการค้า FTA มูลค่า 2,079 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ

การค้าทั้งปี 2554 การส่งออกไปประเทศคู่ค้า FTA มีมูลค่ารวม 124,388 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน ร้อยละ 19.2 เป็นการส่งออกภายใต้สิทธิพิเศษ FTA มีมูลค่า 40,061 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อนร้อยละ 17.1 คู่ค้าที่มีการใช้สิทธิสูงสุดสามอันดับแรก คือ AFTA จีน และญี่ปุ่น ส่วนอัตราการส่งออกภายใต้สิทธิพิเศษที่มีการขยายตัวสูงขึ้นมาก คือ FTA เกาหลีใต้ เพิ่มขึ้นร้อยละ 151.5 รองลงมา คือ FTA อินเดีย เพิ่มขึ้นร้อยละ 34.5 การนำเข้า มีมูลค่า 131,994 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ เพิ่มขึ้นจากช่วงเดียวกันของปีก่อน ร้อยละ 20.9 ดุลการค้า

ภาพรวมขาดดุลการค้า FTA มูลค่า 7,606 ล้านเหรียญสหรัฐฯ

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detai...tid=&subcatid=

[dida888]

^because we do FTA with advantaged competitors. deficit is not out of my mind.

[napoleon]

Exports grew 17% last year to US$229bn

Published: 21/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

Despite being hit by massive floods in the fourth quarter, Thailand's full-year exports grew 17.2% to US$229 billion, exceeding the 15% target set at the start of the year.

Exports in baht terms tallied 6.89 trillion baht, up by 11.7% from 2010. Thailand recorded a trade surplus of $334 million in 2011, but the exchange rate meant it converted to a deficit of 77.1 billion baht.

In December, Thailand shipped $17.02 billion, down 2% year-on-year, or 524.4 billion baht, up 1.5%. It imported $19.15 billion in December, up 19.1% year-on-year, a trade deficit of $2.13 billion.

Yanyong Phuangrach, permanent secretary to the Commerce Ministry, said flood rehabilitation imports caused the trade deficit, but this should help support exports in the future. He said the ministry set the same 15% growth target for exports this year, bringing the total value to $263 billion, as trade with Asean markets and India increased. Asean was the largest trade market for Thailand in 2011, with total export value of $54.3 billion to the area, up 23% from 2010.

Exports to Japan rose 7.1% last year, while shipments to the US and EU jumped 19.2% and 12%, respectively.

Some academics have more pessimistic projections. Sompop Manarungsan, president of the Panyapiwat Institute of Technology, said a reasonable export target is 8-9% because China announced its export growth target would be only 10% and import growth would be 14%, both half of what it recorded in 2011.

"It's a clear sign exports to China will drop this year. Thailand already has a large export base at $229 billion, so 15% growth may be a difficult task," he said.

Other obstacles include a decreased ability to increase capacity because private investment has dropped to less than 10% of GDP, as some Thai companies consider investing in our neighbours.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ar-to-us-229bn

[napoleon]

PM to wrap up Thai-India FTA in New Delhi

January 24, 2012 1:00 am

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is leading a delegation to New Delhi today to complete the comprehensive Thai-Indian free-trade agreement after eight years of negotiations.

Srirat Rastapana, director-general of the Commerce Ministry's Trade Negotiations Department, said yesterday that the mission aimed to strengthen trade and economic cooperation.

The two countries will be under pressure to declare their intention to conclude the comprehensive pact after only trade in goods was liberalised, she said.The comprehensive FTA will cover more trade and add services and investment. It is expected to boost bilateral trade to US$16 billion (Bt500 billion) by 2015.

Thailand will enjoy closer trade and investment ties with India, whose economy is booming, she said.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom is also joining the mission to India to sign the agreement with his Indian counterpart on the extension of the FTA to third countries. The deal will also open up trade opportunities for refrigerator manufacturers.

The draft of the comprehensive FTA covers 10 key issues, including reduction and elimination of tariffs; follow-up on the early-harvest scheme that eliminated duties on 82 products; trade measures for goods, services and investment; safeguards and remedial measures; and dispute settlement.

The bilateral pact and the Asean-Indian FTA, which will cut duties to zero for 70 per cent of products next year, is expected to bolster trade tremendously.

Last year, bilateral trade surged 34.23 per cent to $8.19 billion, with Thailand enjoying a large trade surplus of $2.16 billion. Shipments from PETCHANET

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30174366.html

[napoleon]

Thai-India trade expected to double to $16bn by 2014

Published: 24/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

Bilateral trade between Thailand and India is expected to double within the next two years from US$8 billion last year as trading volume will be boosted by the implementation of a comprehensive free trade programme by mid-2012.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra leads government and business representatives for a state visit to India from today to Thursday.

Thailand and India agreed to 82 early-harvested items to be included in a bilateral free trade agreement from September 2004, with tariffs cut to zero three years later. The two nations expect to conclude negotiations soon to be able to reduce tariffs on 1,000 items.

Two-way trade in 2011 was $8.19 billion, up 34.23%, with Thailand gaining a trade surplus of $2.16 billion from exports of $5.18 billion, up 36.29% year-on-year, and imports of $3.01 billion, up by 30.39%.

India also has a free-trade agreement with Asean, in which about 70% of traded goods will have no tariff by 2013. It became effective in January 2010. Asean-India trade totalled $51.35 billion last year, with an Asean surplus of $5.17 billion. Total trade is expected to reach $70 billion this year.

Thitima Chaisaeng, the government's spokeswoman, said the premier aimed to enhance the collaboration between the two nations through regional cooperation including under the BIMSTEC initiative, which also includes Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, to work on the construction of an East-West corridor highway from India to Thailand via Myanmar.

The Board of Investment (BoI) invited potential Thai investors from tourism, construction and retail industries on the trip.

Thai investments in India from 2000-11 totalled $81.77 billion, while Indian investments through the BoI in 2010 tallied $58 billion from 13 projects.

Ms Thitima added Thailand wants to increase flights between Bangkok and Indian cities from 230 per week.

In 2010, 791,185 Indians visited Thailand while 89,067 Thais visited India.

Srirat Rastapana, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said Ms Yingluck will witness the signing of the second protocol of the bilateral free trade agreement that allows entrepreneurs to buy products in a third country while still enjoying the tariff reduction.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...o-16bn-by-2014

[napoleon]

Central relishes Italian flair

Published: 20/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

Central Retail Corporation (CRC), the country's largest retail chain, has gone European, using Italy as a gateway to expand its retail empire worldwide.

It became the first Asian retailer to really penetrate the continent after buying La Rinascente department store last year.

Vittorio Radice, CEO of La Rinascente, said the company would spend 100 million to open two new La Rinascente department stores in Venice and Rome and remodel its existing stores in Milan and Florence over the next five years. It has 10 stores in Italy now.

The new department stores in Italy will focus on Venice, Milan, Rome and Florence, which are among the world's top 50 tourist destinations.

Of the total budget, 40 million will be used to develop the new store in Venice by converting a 1,000-year-old building near the Venice market. Work will begin within 30 days and be complete by 2014.

The company chose Venice because the city has 22 million foreign visitors a year, with that figure expected to reach 27-28 million by 2020.

The remaining 60 million will be used to renovate stores in Milan, Florence and Rome. Each has a different design reflecting the city's culture.

CRC CEO Tos Chirathivat has focused on growth in Asean, but the company got La Rinascente by accident last year.

Though Europe is not its priority, La Rinascente is a special case. CRC made the purchase in order to boost its luxury image.

Moreover, Italy has few big department stores and the biggest one is La Rinascente at Duomo in Milan. If CRC opens new department stores in Rome and Venice, its business in Italy could double.

CRC is re-entering the luxury market after attempting it 10 years ago. Central Department Stores upgraded to add more luxury brands.

Though Italy has had an economic recession, its impact on La Rinascente should be short-lived.

Sales at La Rinascente last year were 430 million, up 6% from 2010. Sales are set to grow 10% this year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...-italian-flair

[Codename B]

India, Thailand hope to clinch free trade pact by mid-2012

The Nation January 26, 2012 3:28 pm



India and Thailand hope to sign a comprehensive free trade pact by mid2012, according to a joint statement issued after talks between the prime ministers of the two countries in New Delhi Wednesday.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, signed several agreements after the talks, including a protocol that is expected to hasten the free trade pact.

Thailand and India agreed to a partial free trade agreement in 2004 and have been discussing a more comprehensive deal on liberalising trade, services and investments since.

A large part of the discussions between the two leaders focused on bilateral and regional economic cooperation.

Trade between the two nations amounted to $8.2 billion in 2011, a 34.2percent increase over 2010.

The two leaders also agreed that the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), of which Thailand is a member, should conclude trade and investment agreements with India by 2012.

Agreements signed during Yingluck’s visit include a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons and a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation.

Yingluck and Singh also discussed exploring the possibilities of collaboration between their oil and gas companies in exploration and production opportunities in Thailand, India and in other countries.

The two sides agreed to focus on developing road and shipping infrastructure, which would establish an economic corridor linking India with Thailand and Southeast Asia.

A working group on infrastructure and connectivity would be set up to expedite infrastructure initiatives.

Yingluck is in India on a threeday trip during which she will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebration on January 26, when the country commemorates the constitution adopted in 1948.

The Thai prime minister was given a ceremonial reception in the forecourt of India’s presidential palace and later visited a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India’s freedom movement.

Yingluck met President Pratibha Patil and Foreign Minister SM Krishna before a lunch meeting with business leaders.

http://nationmultimedia.com/politics...-30174547.html

[napoleon]

Srithai mulls Myanmar move Too few workers, too high wages at home

Published: 26/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

Srithai Superware Plc, the world's leading melamine producer, is looking to Myanmar as a production base in the near future.

President Sanan Ungubolkul will visit the country soon to look for potential locations to set up a new factory.

Srithai has about 700 workers from Myanmar at its factory in Thailand and operates its SNatur direct-sales business in Myanmar, achieving a positive response. It plans to set up a branch office for direct sales in that country this year.

Mr Sanan said if the company does build a new plant in Myanmar, it will invest 50 million baht and use it as a production base for exports.

Srithai exports melamine products to over 100 countries.

"We can't expand our production capacity in Thailand due to the labour shortage and higher wages. Myanmar and Vietnam are alternative bases," said Mr Sanan.

The planned hike in the daily minimum wage means Srithai plans to raise its product prices in April.

The embargo on Iranian oil has driven up oil prices and thus costs, another factor in the company's decision.

Apart from Myanmar, the company will spend almost 300 million baht to produce closure products at its factory in Vietnam.

Registered capital of Srithai Vietnam will go up to 335 million baht this year from 270 million.

The closure products will serve a giant soft drink firm in Vietnam as part of a three-year contract. The first delivery will start in August.

This will push sales in Vietnam this year to 540 million baht, up from 340 million last year, before rising to 600 million in 2013.

In Thailand, the firm is poised to spend one billion baht on investment this year.

Some 100 million baht will be used to expand its melamine business at its factory in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 600 million will be used for its plastic products and the remaining 300 million is for expanding its direct sales business and overseas investment.

For SNatur direct sales, it plans to expand to Cambodia and Indonesia before reaching 10 countries in a few years. Sales of SNatur are expected to reach 460 million baht this year, up from 353 million last year.

Srithai's total sales this year are projected to reach 7.8 billon baht, up from 6.65 billion last year.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...s-myanmar-move

[napoleon]

Border trade to post B1 trillion in 2012

Published: 26/01/2012 at 12:00 AM

Thailand's border trade could reach one trillion baht this year thanks to rapid activity with Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and southern China, says Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol.

That amount would represent 12.5% growth from 889 billion baht last year.

Tanit Sorat, a vice-president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the main obstacle to new investment in Thailand is the daily minimum wage hike to 300 baht, more than 10 times higher than in some neighbouring countries.

"The minimum wage is a key factor for new investors deciding on an investment base. If wages are too high, then Thailand may not benefit from investment under the Asean Economic Community," he said.

Another roadblock is limits on industrial zones in Thailand due to environmental protests from communities.

Mr Tanit said the government should offer investment promotion in foreign countries for Thai investors, while the private sector should build business networks.

Over the next five years, Thailand's daily minimum wage will increase to 500 baht, as political parties will use the issue to win elections, he predicted. Employers will be urged to pay more welfare to employees.

Myanmar is the current Asean country developing regional investment buzz as it opens up, with industries keen to utilise its abundant cheap labour.

"Thailand is not ready for integrated liberalisation as workers and entrepreneurs need time to prepare," Mr Tanit noted.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...illion-in-2012

[napoleon]

PM Yingluck joins India's national day celebrations

Published: 26/01/2012 at 04:51 PM

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was guest of honour on Thursday at India's 63rd Republic Day celebrations, an annual display of the country's military might held amid tight security.

The premier, who flew to New Delhi on Monday, is making her first official visit to the country to promote trade, which the Asian partners hope to double to $14 billion by 2014 from its 2010 level.

Ms Yingluck, who became Thailand's first female prime minister in August, was seated with Pratibha Patil, India's first woman president, as marching bands and military hardware filed past.


On Wednesday, Thailand and India agreed to speed up talks to achieve a bilateral free trade agreement by July.

Ms Patil in an address on the eve of the celebrations said rampant poverty in India was a concern despite the country's robust economic growth, echoing recent comments from the prime minister.

"We are witness to the increasing influence of India and its steady economic growth, but there are many significant tasks that are yet to be accomplished, in particular the pledge to empower the poor and the marginalised sections," she said.

During the ceremony, India put on display for the first time its Agni-IV missile which can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead to a target some 3,500 kilometres (2,170 miles) away.

The two-stage Agni-IV, last tested in November 2011 is part of an Indian programme to build an array of weapons including nuclear-tipped inter-continental ballistic missiles.

The national ceremony later culminated in flypasts by US-built C-130J Super Hercules planes, Russian-supplied Sukhoi-30s, MiG-29 fighter jets, British-made Jaguar bomber aircraft and military helicopters.

India is currently upgrading its million-plus military with hardware worth tens of billions of dollars because of its long-standing tensions with regional rivals China and Pakistan.

Some 25,000 policemen, commandos and soldiers guarded the capital against possible attacks from militant groups while its skies were a no-fly zone for the duration of the celebrations, officials said.

Last September, 12 people died and nearly 80 others were wounded when a powerful bomb went off at the fortified Delhi High Court in the heart of the Indian capital.

Troops were also out in strength on the streets of Indian-administered Kashmir to try to thwart anti-government protests by separatist groups who usually use the occasion to denounce rule by New Delhi.

The mobile phone network was jammed there for the duration of Republic Day celebrations to prevent the detonation of remote controlled bombs, local reports said.

Three bombs exploded in the insurgency-riven northeastern state of Manipur on Wednesday night and early Thursday, but no one was killed or injured, police said.

About a dozen anti-India insurgent groups had asked people to boycott Republic Day celebrations in some of the seven troubled northeastern states.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...y-celebrations

[Codename B]

Yingluck revives Thaksin's strategic 'look west' policy

THE NATION, AGENCIES January 27, 2012 1:00 am



before heading to Davos

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday wound up her two-day visit to India working to restore a "strategic partnership" initiated years ago by her brother Thaksin Shinawatra - spending the final hours as chief guest at the Republic Day of India celebrations.

The strategic ties are seen as reciprocal - connecting India with Southeast Asia through Thailand, while linking the Kingdom with South Asia via India.

The vision is compatible with Thailand's look west policy and India's look east policy, helping the two regions become closer, Yingluck told reporters.

She praised the significant growth and development of India during the past two decades - as the subcontinent plays an increasingly prominent world role and more Indian businesspersons were ranked in the annual Fortune 500 list of top global companies.

During talks between Yingluck and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, the two countries agreed to speed up negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) in goods, services and investment by March in order to reach conclusion by July.

Six agreements were signed after the talks, which included the transfer of sentenced persons, a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, and amending the framework agreement for establishing an FTA.

The framework agreement of the FTA was modified by adding an item for an early-harvest scheme, an official said.

The two countries will promote cooperation in science and technology, cultural exchange and cooperation between Thailand's Chulalongkorn University and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations at the India Studies Centre at the Thai university.

At the parade to celebrate Republic Day of India yesterday, Yingluck sat with Pratibha Patil, India's first woman president, and Singh, as marching bands and military hardware filed past.

Republic Day of India commemorates the Indian constitution coming into force on January 26, 1948. Only one head of state or government of another country is invited as chief guest for the celebration each year.

Yingluck later left India for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which she said would give her the opportunity to build confidence in Thailand among foreign investors.

http://nationmultimedia.com/politics...-30174615.html

[napoleon]

ไทยเราเป็นชาติแรกในอาเซียนที่เซ็น FTA กับอินเดีย สำหรับสินค้า 82 รายการ

รัฐบาลชุดที่แล้ว อยู่เฉยๆ 2 ปี ไม่ทำอะไรต่อ จนเพื่อนบ้านเซ็นแซงหน้าไปหมด

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=444

ต้องขอบคุณรัฐบาลชุดนี้ที่เร่งเจรจา จนเซ็นได้ต่อ ไม่งั้นสินค้าไทยแพงกว่าเขาหมด

[napoleon]

"ยิ่งลักษณ์" หารือทวิภาคีนายกฯ ปากีสถานกระชับความสัมพันธ์ศก.การค้า-ลงทุน

วันศุกร์ที่ 27 มกราคม 2012 เวลา 22:04 น.

นายกรัฐมนตรี หารือทวิภาคีกับนายกรัฐมนตรีแห่งสาธารณรัฐอิสลามปากีสถาน ส่งเสริมความสัมพันธ์ทางเศรษฐกิจ การค้าการลงทุน วัฒนธรรม ที่เมืองดาวอส สมาพันธรัฐสวิส เมื่อเวลา 14.30 น. วันนี้ ( 27 มกราคม )ตามเวลาท้องถิ่นซึ่งช้ากว่าประเทศไทย นางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรี เข้าร่วมการประชุม World Economic Forum (WEF) ครั้งที่ 42 โดยได้พบหารือทวิภาคีกับนายกรัฐมนตรีแห่งสาธารณรัฐอิสลามปากีสถาน เพื่อหารือเกี่ยวกับประเด็นความสัมพันธ์ทั่วไป แนวทางการส่งเสริมความสัมพันธ์ทางเศรษฐกิจ การค้าการลงทุน วัฒนธรรม

สำหรับวันนี้เป็นวันที่ 3 ของการประชุม ซึ่งบรรยากาศของการประชุมยังคงมีผู้นำและผู้บริหารระดับสูงขององค์กรเอกชนชั้นนำทั่วโลกเข้าร่วมประชุมเป็นจำนวนมาก ช่วงเช้า นายบัน คี มูน เลขาธิการสหประชาชาติ ได้เป็นผู้กล่าวนำการอภิปราย ในหัวข้อ ความมั่นคงทางพลังงานที่ยังยืน และเหตุการณ์ปัจจุบันที่เกิดขึ้นในภูมิภาคตะวันออกกลาง แอฟริกาเหนือ ซูดาน และโซมาเลีย

http://www.thanonline.com/index.php?...176&Itemid=524

[napoleon]

"ปู" ขึ้นเวทีดาวอส-กล่าวสุนทรพจน์ผู้นำสตรี

วันที่ 27 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2555 เวลา 22:55 น. ข่าวสดออนไลน์

สำนักข่าวเอเอฟพีรายงานว่า น.ส.ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรีไทย ขึ้นเวทีกล่าวถ้อยแถลงเปิดหารือ และเข้าร่วมเป็นผู้อภิปรายในการอภิปรายเต็มคณะ ในหัวข้อ "Women as the way forward" เพื่อแสดงความคิดเห็นเกี่ยวกับค่านิยมและรูปแบบการเป็นผู้นำของสตรี ระหว่างร่วมประชุมเวทีเศรษฐกิจโลก ที่เมืองดาวอส ประเทศสวิตเซอร์แลนด์ เมื่อวันที่ 27 ม.ค.

สำหรับเนื้อหาการอภิปรายของน.ส.ยิ่งลักษณ์ เว็บไซต์รัฐบาลไทยรายงานไว้ดังนี้


เวลา 16.00 น. (ตามเวลาท้องถิ่น) ณ Congress Hall, Congress Centre เมืองดาวอส สมาพันธรัฐสวิส นางสาวยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร นายกรัฐมนตรี ได้กล่าวเปิดการหารือและเข้าร่วมเป็นผู้อภิปรายในการอภิปรายเต็มคณะ ในหัวข้อ "Women as the Way Forward"

โดยนายกรัฐมนตรี ได้กล่าวแสดงความยินดีที่ได้รับเชิญให้เป็นผู้กล่าวเปิดและร่วมอภิปรายเรื่อง Women as the Way Forward ในวันนี้ และกล่าวว่าตนเองรู้สึกโชคดีที่ได้เกิดและเติบโตขึ้นในสังคมไทย ซึ่งมีความเท่าเทียมระหว่างหญิงชายสูง ทำให้มีโอกาสได้รับการศึกษาที่ดี ได้ดำรงตำแหน่งผู้บริหารระดับสูงในบริษัทเอกชนชั้นนำ และสุดท้ายได้รับเลือกจากประชาชนทั่วประเทศให้ดำรงตำแหน่งนายกรัฐมนตรีหญิงคนแรกของประเทศไทย

นายกรัฐมนตรี กล่าวว่าแม้ว่าตนเองจะเป็นตัวอย่างของผู้หญิงโชคดี แต่ทุกวันนี้ ในเกือบทุกภูมิภาคของโลก ผู้หญิงยังคงต้องเผชิญกับปัญหาความเหลื่อมล้ำทางเพศ เมื่อเทียบกับผู้ชายแล้ว ผู้หญิงโดยเฉลี่ยยังคงได้รับการศึกษาต่ำกว่า เข้าถึงแหล่งเงินทุนได้ยากกว่า มีรายได้น้อยกว่า ถูกกีดกันไม่ให้ถือครองที่ดินหรือทรัพย์สิน และยิ่งไปกว่านั้น ผู้หญิงยังตกเป็นเหยื่อของการล่วงละเมิดทางเพศและการทารุณกรรมอีกด้วย

ผู้หญิงแม้ว่าจะมีข้อด้อยกว่าผู้ชายในเรื่องของสรีระและพละกำลัง แต่ก็มีจุดแข็งหลายด้าน เช่น ความรอบคอบ เข้าใจปัญหา ความประนีประนอม และสัญชาตญาณความเป็นเพศแม่ นอกจากนี้จากการศึกษาพบว่าผู้หญิงมีความสามารถในการออมและความน่าเชื่อถือในเรื่องการชำระหนี้ อีกด้วย ดังนั้น หากผู้หญิงได้รับการสนับสนุนอย่างเท่าเทียมกับผู้ชายแล้ว จะทำให้ได้มีการใช้ทรัพยากรมนุษย์อย่างเต็มที่ ซึ่งจะเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญในการสร้างความเจริญเติบโตทางเศรษฐกิจอย่างยั่งยืน

นายกรัฐมนตรียังมองอีกว่าการผลักดันให้เกิดพลังของผู้หญิงและการแก้ไขปัญหาความเหลื่อมล้ำทางเพศจะต้องเริ่มจากการแก้ไขปัญหาที่ฝังรากลึกในวัฒนธรรมและแนวคิดทางสังคม โดยส่วนหนึ่งของความล้มเหลวในการแก้ไขปัญหาที่ผ่านมา อาจจะเป็นเพราะว่าผู้กำหนดนโยบายไม่ได้แก้ไขปัญหาที่ต้นเหตุอย่างแท้จริง


"รัฐบาลจึงได้มีการจัดตั้งกองทุนพัฒนาบทบาทสตรีแห่งชาติขึ้นเป็นครั้งแรกในประเทศไทย โดยมุ่งหวังว่าจะสนับสนุนและส่งเสริมให้สตรีไทยเป็นพลังสำคัญและการสร้างสรรค์และพัฒนาประเทศ กองทุนนี้ไม่เพียงแต่จะช่วยสนับสนุนการแก้ไขปัญหาของสตรี รวมทั้งปัญหาการละเมิดสิทธิมนุษยชนที่กระทำต่อสตรีเท่านั้น หากแต่ยังเป็นส่วนสำคัญในการเสริมสร้างการพัฒนาศักยภาพของสตรีไทย (Empowerment) และรวมถึงการสร้างความเข้มแข็งและการพัฒนาเครือข่าย (Partnership) ให้สตรีไทยได้มีบทบาทอย่างมากในการร่วมแก้ปัญหาและพัฒนาประเทศต่อไป" น.ส.ยิ่งลักษณ์ ระบุ

นอกจากนี้ นายกรัฐมนตรียังย้ำว่าพร้อมที่จะให้ความสำคัญและสนันสนุนกับการพัฒนาเด็กหญิง (The Girl Effect) เพราะเมื่อคุณให้การศึกษาแก่เด็กหญิงหนึ่งคน คุณกำลังให้การศึกษาแก่คนทั้งชุมชน (When you educate a girl, you educate a community)" รัฐบาลชุดนี้จึงได้เน้นการลงทุนในด้านการศึกษาให้แก่เด็กหญิงเพื่อที่จะช่วยให้มีคุณภาพชีวิตที่ดีขึ้น มีรายได้ที่มากกว่าเดิม สามารถเป็นผู้หาเลี้ยงครอบครัว และเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการพัฒนาระบบเศรษฐกิจและการเมืองโลกอย่างมั่นคงต่อไป

นายกรัฐมนตรีกล่าวแสดงความหวังว่าการแลกเปลี่ยนความคิดเห็นระหว่างผู้เข้าร่วมอภิปรายที่ล้วนแต่เป็นผู้หญิงที่ประสบความสำเร็จและมีความรู้ความสามารถในวันนี้ จะเป็นอีกก้าวหนึ่งในการสร้างแนวทางการขับเคลื่อนและพัฒนาบทบาทของสตรี เพื่อส่งเสริมให้ผู้หญิงสามารถก้าวขึ้นมาเป็นอีกหนึ่งกำลังสำคัญควบคู่ไปกับผู้ชายได้ในทุกภาคส่วนอย่างแท้จริง

ในตอนท้าย นายกรัฐมนตรีได้แจ้งต่อที่ประชุมว่า ประเทศไทยจะเป็นเจ้าภาพการประชุม World Economic Forum on East Asia ที่กรุงเทพฯ ระหว่างวันที่ 30 พฤษภาคม - 1 มิถุนายน 2555 ภายใต้หัวข้อ "Shaping the Region′s Future through Connectivity" โดยจะมีการหารือถึงแนวทางการสร้างความเจริญเติบโตให้กับเศรษฐกิจโลกผ่านมิติด้านการพัฒนา ซึ่งการเพิ่มบทบาทของสตรีน่าจะเป็นหนึ่งในประเด็นสำคัญ พร้อมกันนี้นายกรัฐมนตรีได้เชิญชวนให้ผู้เข้าร่วมการประชุมเข้าร่วมงาน Thailand Night ที่โรงแรม Central Sporthotel ในคืนวันนี้ ระหว่างเวลา 19.30- 22.00 น. เพื่อชมงานแสดงทางวัฒนธรรมและรับทราบข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับศักยภาพของเศรษฐกิจไทยด้วย

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_newson...Q==&sectionid=

[napoleon]

PM backs Thailand's future at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Published: 29/01/2012 at 12:27 AM Online news: Local News

ON THE WORLD STAGE: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assured business leaders in Davos, Switzerland that Thailand's economy is strong enough to accommodate investors while the government has embarked on measures to prevent future flood crises and end domestic political disputes.

The premier said investments in Thailand would be well protected by the government's water resource management plan. The government would also foster a positive economic environment for their businesses.


Ms Yingluck on Friday attended the 42nd World Economic Forum (WEF) and presided over a "Thailand Night" held by the government to encourage national and business leaders to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Bangkok between May 30 and June 1.





Ms Yingluck told international business leaders the government was confident last year's flood crisis would not be repeated. The government had earmarked US$11 billion to develop a new water resource management system.


More dams and floodwalls would be constructed to protect public utilities and important economic zones.


There would be more water retention areas and floodways for more effective water management. A flood warning system would be in place along with business continuity plans. Communities would be empowered on disaster preparedness.


More importantly, the government would set up a single command authority to manage flooding incidents in the future, she said.


Ms Yingluck affirmed Thailand's economy remained strong after being battered by the flood crisis, political unrest and the impact from the global economic recession. With its solid economic foundation, the Thai economy has managed to quickly rebound from all crises. This year, the government has projected that the economy could see 5 per cent growth. The country's foreign reserves are still high at about 180 billion baht.


The country's fiscal situation was strong as public debt amounted to about 40 per cent of GDP. As a result, the Thai government will not have any barriers to its funding of the water resource management master plan and other important economic policies.


As for instability in domestic politics, Ms Yingluck said a landmark election was held last year and that all sectors of Thai society have accepted the results.


The election has handed Thailand "a bright beginning and the chance to steadily move forward". The government will put in place moves for reconciliation by depending upon the rules of law and social unity, she said.


Democrat Party leader and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, commenting on the World Economic Forum, said in Bangkok he wanted to see the prime minister affirm the government's flood prevention plan to restore investor confidence.


The public and the international community have been keeping an eye on the plan, he said.


Mr Abhisit said he wanted to see the government speed up maintenance of irrigation canals and drainage pipes dam aged in last year's floods.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...-future-at-wef














with Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Switzerland President

[napoleon]

Pakistan keen to move towards FTA with Thailand

Gilani Friday, 27 January 2012 23:34

DAVOS: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said Pakistan was keen to move towards a Free Trade Agreement with Thailand and stressed focussed talks for increased bilateral trade between the two countries.

Talking to Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, here on the margins of the World Economic Forum meeting, Gilani said the trade between the two countries was increasing progressively and had touched US one billion dollars. He said there was a huge potential to increase it further.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar briefing media persons, said Pakistan and Thailand had agreed to initiate a process towards an FTA in 2005. She said Thailand was keen to move forward and said the two sides agreed on activating the Joint Economic Commission at the earliest.

She said the meeting of the JEC that has not been held for a long time now, would cover economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries and encourage business-to-business partnership.

She said the Prime Minister was also appreciative of Thailand's consistent support to Pakistan's Full Dialogue Partnership with the ASEAN, which would be of mutual benefit for both the countries.

The Thai Prime Minister expressed strong support for the efforts to strengthen trade and economic cooperation and in this regard stressed the importance of optimally utilizing the existing mechanisms.

She also underlined potential of the proposed new institutional frameworks like Joint Trade Committee (JTC) and Joint Business Council (JBC) in deepening and broadening bilateral economic ties.

Prime Minister Gilani stressed there was a need to build a partnership of mutual benefit and recalled that the two countries marked 60 years of establishment of their diplomatic ties in 2011.

Gilani said on the civilizational journey the two countries have been together for over 2000 years.

He said Pakistan has proudly preserved and promoted the Gandhara heritage that forms a bond between the two countries and peoples, and hoped that this cultural connection will always be a central pillar of their relationship.

The Prime Minister called for transforming this cordial relationship into a strong partnership of mutual benefit in all areas of common interest.

He said Pakistan and Thailand share similar views on a broad range of issues related to peace, development and security and added that the ties between the two countries have further strengthened due to Pakistan's "Vision East Asia" policy. He stressed increased trade and commercial collaboration.

Prime Minister Gilani said through intensified mutual collaboration, both the countries can advance shared objectives like regional connectivity and trans-regional development cooperation.

The Prime Minister said that the people of Pakistan and the government were looking forward to welcome Princess Maja von Hohenzollern, at the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan is an investment destination and offers the most attractive and liberal investment policy. He said several areas in Pakistan offer good potential for Thai businessmen to invest in Pakistan, including gems and jewellery, textile and agro-based industries.

Pakistan and Thailand have a rich potential to expand trade and have the scope to cooperate in production of automobile parts and machineries, dairy and livestock sector, canning industry for seafood, textile garments, made-ups, bed wears, towels, hosieries and fabrics, processing of meat and poultry for exports, tourism related services, infrastructure requirement to support massive growth, power sector and oil and gas exploration.

In 2010, the volume of bilateral trade touched US $ 915 million; textile, yarn, seafood, leather, chemical product, and medical equipment accounting for Pakistan's major exports to Thailand, and motorcars, chemical product, plastic, air conditioner and parts, synthetic textile, rubber product, refrigerator and cloth accounting for Thai export to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Gilani congratulated the Prime Minister of Thailand for being the first woman premier of her country.

http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/bu...d-gilani-.html

[Codename B]