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Livestock Dept chief to visit EU over chicken war
The director of the Livestock Development Department
will travel to Brussels this month to try and put a halt to the problem of
chemical residues in Thai chickens, cited by the European Union as a
reason to send hundreds of containers of chicken back to Thailand.
Veeraphong Wongdee will visit Brussels with a team of
officials to discuss the on-going problem with Thai officials stationed
there.
While expressing confidence that the problem is close
to being solved, he conceded that the EU lacks faith in the safety of Thai
chickens, and that this could have an impact on chicken exports in the
future.
Veeraphong said that although at this time there are no
legal measures stating exactly what kind of equipment should be used to
test for chemical residue, in the future only LC MSMS testing equipment
will be used for all food exports to the EU.
“Let me reiterate that these measures are not
retaliation, but preparation,” he said. He also warned that Japan is
becoming increasingly strict in inspecting for chemical residue in food
imports.
Veeraphong stressed that Thailand must remain vigilant
and maintain the highest international standards for its food exports.
“Thailand must see the importance of sustaining high quality in this
industry since it will affect the country’s standing in international
trade,” he said.
Veeraphong admitted that while the Ministry of Commerce
has issued strict regulations proscribing the import of controlled
chemicals, these chemicals continued to be smuggled in. However, the
working committee is already taking measures to address this problem. (TNA)
Settrade.com to launch investment portal
The Stock Exchange of Thailand is preparing to open an
investment portal through its subsidiary Settrade.com at the end of June,
in a bid to win over new investors, particularly those in the 25-40 age
range.
Somkid Jiranantarat, executive director of Settrade.com,
said that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) asked the company to set up
a web-based investment portal as part of its blueprint for expanding the
stock market’s investor base.
Investors, and anyone interested in investment in the
SET, will be able to use the portal as a source of information on which
they can base investment decisions. The site will also provide a venue
through which the investors can exchange ideas with stock market experts
and other investors.
Praising the portal for its speed and efficiency,
Somkid said it will also provide links between investors and securities
companies, together with other agencies and important websites.
The website, which is due to be launched at the end of
June, will focus on young, new investors. During the initial phase, the
content of the website will emphasize investment in the stock market,
before going on to cover investment in bonds and debentures, and other
investment options.
The website will offer web-based services which will
allow investors to sign up as members of the SET, or open stock trade
accounts with brokers, who in turn can use the website to publicize
information and analysis. Somkid expressed confidence that the website
would see 10,000 new members joining each year. (TNA)
Property business likely to continue to recover, says BOT
Property business is likely to continue to recover this
year as a result of commercial banks’ competition to lend at low
interest rates and the government’s measures to stimulate the sector,
according to the Bank of Thailand.
The central bank said in its recent report that the
recovery is expected to gain momentum, particularly in the section of
single houses, town houses and low- and medium-price condominiums.
Supply continues to decline while demand is increasing
since financial institutions are now competing to provide low-interest
loans and the government is encouraging state officials to buy their own
first houses by seeking financial support from the Provident Fund. The
Finance Ministry is considering the scheme, which is expected to be
implemented by the second quarter.
The BOT report cited the government’s efforts to
accelerate economic growth at a steady pace as a factor contributing to
the recovery of the property sector in all categories. An upward movement
in the property sector will bode well for supporting businesses.
The central bank said the establishment of a National
Property Center is a practical way to develop a database system in order
to help balance supply and demand and insure sustainable growth. (TNA)
Singapore-Thailand agree to develop cluster of industries
Singapore and Thailand have agreed to develop a cluster
of industries for mutual advantage, particularly in agriculture, food, and
auto-related electronics.
Damri Sukhonang, director-general of the Industrial
Economic Office, said the office is collaborating with state agencies
concerned to map out a clear-cut plan of action for the implementation of
the scheme. The move was a follow-up to talks between leaders of the two
countries held in February.
Under the agreement, a joint study group will be set up
and private sectors of the two nations will play a key role in exploring
opportunities to expand cooperation.
Damri said that instead of competing against each other
in some sectors, this cooperation will lead to a joining of
competitiveness from which the two countries will benefit immensely.
He said Singapore and Thailand will also cooperate in
forging ahead with the ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement in preparation for
trade liberalization next year.
The framework of trade and investment cooperation set
by the two countries will focus on the agriculture and food industries,
financial services, electronics used for autos, tourism, transportation,
and management services. (TNA)
Spa businesses mushroom in Phuket
The spa business has expanded considerably in the
famous resort island of Phuket to meet the higher demand of foreign
tourists, according to a tourism official.
Napasorn Khakai, assistant director of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand Southern Office Region 3 said that investment in the
health club and spa sector has increased rapidly.
Most of the newly opened four and five star hotels have
spa services. Other hotels without spas are preparing to build them for
their guests, she said.
Spas are gaining in popularity among tourists,
especially European visitors. It is another choice for vacationers in the
sector of leisure activities and holidays. Revitalizing body and mind by
relaxing aroma oil massage, or invigorating Thai traditional massage are
great favorites with holiday groups.
The assistance director said at present there are more
than 30 spas available in Phuket. Because spa service and its facilities
have great appeal to hotel guests they are likely to stay in the hotel
longer than scheduled to enjoy the pampering experience of spa treatment.
The substantial growth of the spa business brings in a large amounts of
money to Thailand each year and the spa service shows a rising trend for
the future.
TAT attended the recent travel fair - The International
Tourism Borse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany to demonstrate Thai traditional
massage and introduce the natural spa products to foreigners. The products
drew people’s attention and were sold in large number as they were made
from Thai herbs and non-chemical materials, added Napasorn. (TNA)
S. Korea and China to buy more rice from Thailand
Deputy Commerce Minister Suvarn Valaisatien said that
while holding talks with visiting South Korea’s Commercial Navy and
Fishery minister he proposed that Seoul purchase Thai rice to be sent to
North Korea.
South Korea has launched the Food for Peace Program,
under which Seoul has imported low-quality rice to be shipped to assist
North Korean people.
“I proposed to the South Korean Minister that Seoul
purchase 100,000-200,000 tons of Thai rice to be sent to Pyongyang under
its Food for Peace initiative, and he pledged to take the proposal into
consideration,” Suvarn said.
Suvarn said he also asked Seoul to widen its market for
Thai agricultural products, and reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers
for Thai exports.
“I told the visiting minister that the Thai
government has never imposed any measures against South Korean products,
and asked that Seoul allow more Thai farm products into South Korea and
reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers against Thai products, and he
agreed to consider the request,” Suvarn said.
During the talks, the visiting minister also asked that
Thailand support South Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2010. Other
countries, including China, Russia, Poland, Mexico, and Argentina, are
competing to host the world event. The Bureau of International Exhibition
will vote to select the host country of the event at its next general
assembly, scheduled to be held in Paris in December.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
is negotiating a barter trade deal with China, under which Beijing will
import more rice and rubber from Thailand in exchange for seven trawlers
from China to be used by the Thai private sector for deep-sea fishing.
(TNA)
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