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Business Day introduces work of German Chamber of Commerce
The First Eastern Seaboard Business Development Day of
German-Thai Chamber of Commerce was held at the Dusit Resort last week. This
seminar was held in English to introduce the work of the German-Thai Chamber
of Commerce and its services to a larger audience.
(From
left) Jens Huhn, MD of Mixaco Maschinenbau Asia Office, Hans-Dieter Westphal,
MD of Rieckermann Thai Engineering, and Frank Lauerbach, regional manager of
Beumer.
The session attracted a large number of business people
from Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard. Experts were on hand all day to
answer questions concerning business development with Thailand and Germany
and to receive first hand information about legal issues including, the
setting-up of a company, the Foreign Business Law, work permits and visas,
land ownership, customs duties, taxes, export contracts as well as dispute
resolution.
Stefan Buerkle, head of the Business Economics and
Advisory Division conducted the seminar and explained important facts and
main functions of the chamber. He pointed out that Thailand is one of the
most interesting targets for investment because of its economic, social and
political stability combined with a good infrastructure.
Besides the positive aspects, new investment from German
companies during the last few years has lessened. Buerkle said, “Many
investors based in Germany look at Thailand as old-fashioned, and are
concentrating on other targets in Asia, like China. Contrary to that, 74% of
German investors in Thailand plan to build up their engagement until
2005.”
“Thailand’s greatest weakness is the strict laws
concerning the right of ownership for foreigners and the rather weak
implementation of intellectual property rights. We (the chamber) will do our
utmost to help you with your problems if you come to us. We act as a
mediator, and many times a letter from the chamber can shorten a business
transaction,” said Buerkle.
The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, located in South
Sathorn Road in Bangkok, was founded in 1962 and has now more than 500
German, Thai and other companies as members.
The main targets of the chamber are the small and medium
sized companies. The chamber will help search for customers and suppliers
and advise them in legal questions.
After the seminar all the participants went to the Bay
Restaurant at the Dusit to enjoy an excellent lunch before continuing the
business day with one-on-one interviews.
After hard day’s work, some fun in the evening at the Moon River Pub
was in order. The ‘networking’ went on until the late hours and many
serious businessmen and women were seeing dancing to the hot rhythms of Moon
River Pub’s house band.
Textile purchase orders from US and EU remain intact
Textile exports to the United States and the European
Union have not yet been affected by the US-Iraq war as total purchase orders
remain intact. Suchart Chantranakaraj, president of the Thai Clothing
Industry’s Association, said the purchasing orders from the US and EU had
not yet dropped and he believes the war will not adversely affect the export
of Thai textiles.
Suchart said he was confident the US would be able to
control the situation and keep its economy growing, which would benefit the
Thai export and economy. But he conceded shipping operators had already
increased freight service fees and war-risk insurance premiums. Still, this
did not affect local exporters because prices of exported products are based
on freight on board (FOB).
“We believe we can maintain our textile export base in
the US and EU this year. We think textile export could grow 4-5% this year
and that is a satisfactory figure,” Suchart said. (TNA)
Leo Burnett Ad agency
meets the press after
regional seminar
Regional and international executives from Leo Burnett
Worldwide met with the local and national press after finishing up a
regional seminar at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort during the recent AD Fest
Asia held at PEACH.
From
left: Miguel Angel Furones, Leo Burnett Worldwide’s chief creative
officer, Linda Locke, Leo Burnett Worldwide’s regional creative officer,
and Pornsiri Rojmeta, Leo Burnett group chief executive.
Chief creative officers from the worldwide and regional
offices, along with Leo Burnett Thailand’s CEO Pornsiri Rojmeta hosted the
conference to discuss the regional seminar titled ‘CreAsia 2003’. The
seminar brought in more than 100 representatives from 16 Asia Pacific
offices to further develop ideas for advertising strategies in the region.
In a discussion with the press, the creative group of advertising
executives discussed issues such as the “Brand Belief System” aimed at
consumers who have had developed loyalty toward certain brand names. The
press conference was an information exchange session and discussion on human
behavior and consumer trends in Thailand and throughout the Asia region.
Big C Super Center South Pattaya holds grand opening
Songklod Kaewvisit
Chonburi Governor Sawarng Srisarkun presided over the
grand opening of the new Big C Super Center in South Pattaya as he joined
management and staff for the opening ceremonies.
(from
left) Allan Nememsik, vice president of Big C’s administration and
operations department; Sawarng Srisarkun, Chonburi Governor; Wanchai
Jirathiwat, chairman of Central Group; and Praphan Eiumrungrot, vice
chairman of business development and real estate department of Big C,
presided over the opening ceremony of Big C Supermarket, South Pattaya
branch.
Opened at 9 a.m. on March 28, the brand new 46,000 square
meter shopping center is the supermarket chain’s second branch in Pattaya.
The Second Road branch has been in operation for over seven years and the
company saw a need to widen their market in the growing city of Pattaya.
The new two-story building has enough parking for 800
vehicles and comes complete with a large food center including the big names
in fast food such as McDonalds and KFC, as well as Thai favorites MK Suki
and Chesters Grill.
This new addition to Pattaya’s shopping scene also
features an area available to the residents of Chonburi as part of the
‘One Village, One Product’ scheme with plenty of access to lighting and
electricity for stallholders, with no rental charges.
The new Big C will employ local residents and pay local
taxes and aims to promote the economic well being of the community it
serves.
During the opening festivities, children from Pattaya Schools Numbers 3,
5, 8 and the Pothisampan School put on shows for the crowds of shoppers and
guests. Representatives from the Redemptorist School for the Disabled and
students from the Nernplubwan School conducted special activities for the
local children.
BCCT receives a holistic view
on asset and finance
management
Brendan Richards
The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) hosted
another successful networking night on the Eastern Seaboard. The evening was
sponsored by Professional Portfolio International (PPi) and held away from
the hustle bustle of Pattaya at L’Opera at the Eastern Seaboard Industrial
Estate.
(L to
R): Chittraporn Inkaew, Angela and Mike Poustie chat with Eric Jordan, MD of
PPi at L’Opera.
The
essence of the BCCT (L to R): Greg Watkins, executive director, networking
stalwart Paul Dobbs, Suwanna Viroonchan BCCT Eastern Seaboard Committee
board member and Graham Macdonald, chairman of the BCCT Eastern Seaboard
committee.
During his address to the audience, Eric Jordan, managing
director of Professional Portfolio International, explained, “We provide a
holistic approach to financial and asset management which is customer driven
and tailor made to every customer’s requirements.”
Networking stalwarts gathered at the restaurant to
discuss the current business climate and future developments in Thailand
after the US-led military operations in Iraq.
The atmosphere was upbeat and the general feeling was
that the initial military actions most likely will not affect the economic
climate in the immediate future.
“But should it drag on Thailand may well experience a
drastic slowdown, as has already happened in the tourism sector,”
commented Khamhoung Ratsamany, director of industrial estate operations, for
Hemaraj Land and Development.
“We have had a few investors postpone their commitments
until after the war is over, but stock prices are still going up at this
stage,” added Khamhoung.
The mood of the evening was jovial, in spite of the war
and the rainy weather, and everyone was glad for the opportunity to mingle
and exchange information.
Most notable were George Strampp drumming up support for
his charity project, Dham Dhamodharan of TRW Steering and Suspension Company
and Lucas Varity (Thailand), BCCT committee chairmen, Graham Macdonald and
Greg Watkins, BCCT executive director.
Paul Dobbs, and the ever-smiling Chittraporn Inkaew of
Henry Butcher were in attendance and Suwanna Viroonchan BCCT Eastern
Seaboard Committee board member put on her networking hat and cordially
mingled with the crowd.
The evening’s sponsors, PPi with MD Eric Jordan and
director Roger Parry, explained how PPi operates within an international
network under the umbrella of Financial Partner International (FPI) with
offices in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates.
Eric said the PPi aims at providing a total solution for
investment, whether it is cash management, stocks & bonds and property
investment. “We provide a one stop service for small and large
investors,” said Eric.
PPi, based in Bangkok, also provides an extensive range
of services including property conveyance to foreign investment law - has
access to investment property throughout Thailand and deals in all the legal
aspects as well. More information can be found on their website
www.ppioffshore.com or www.ppsproperty.com
The next British Chamber night on the Eastern Seaboard is on Friday April
25, at the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa. More details will be provided
closer to the date.
Royal Cliff Beach Resort
announces appointments
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort, recently announced the appointment of two sales managers for
their MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) market:
Chanchalad Mahapoj and Primprapaporn Held.
Chanchalad
Mahapoj
Primprapaporn
Held
Chanchalad Mahapoj will be responsible for global sales
of MICE for the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and it’s convention center, PEACH
(Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall), with an emphasis on the Korean,
Taiwanese and Middle Eastern markets.
With close to ten years of relevant industry experience,
Mr. Mahapoj has in the past been associated with both the Amari and Imperial
Hotel Groups. Prior to his appointment at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Mr.
Mahapoj worked as sales manager for the Siam City Hotels & Resorts Group
for 3 years.
Ms. Primprapaporn Held will also be responsible for
global sales of MICE for the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and it’s convention
center, PEACH, with an emphasis on Japanese, South Asian and Russian
markets.
With more than 6 years of relevant industry experience,
Ms. Held has in the past been associated with the Novotel Bangna, Ocean
Marina, Amari Orchid Resort and most recently was with the Pattaya Marriott
Resort & Spa.
The Royal Cliff Beach Resort and PEACH combined offer a total of over
100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space which includes the plenary hall at PEACH
capable of seating up to 5,800 persons, 3 ballrooms, 21 meeting rooms and a
vast range of outdoor space.
Phayathai Hospital Sriracha announces health promotion and healthcare member programs
Songklod Kaewvisit
Moving into the market of preventative healthcare and
promoting a healthy lifestyle, Phayathai Hospital’s executive director Dr.
Thanakom Manthananon recently announced the hospital’s new membership
program for patients and the community at large.
Phayathai
Hospital’s executive director Dr. Thanakom Manthananon displays the
hospital’s classic card and gold card.
The medical facility has been in operation for 8 years
and this is the first time that they have offered the program. Membership
cardholders have the choice of two programs: the classic program and the
gold card. Both include discounts on a variety of services that will
accommodate in-patients and outpatient care with discounts on medical tests
and dental treatments.
Gold card members will also receive a free physical check-up as an added
bonus. The membership program runs for one year and is available from the
hospital directly.
Sontaya Khunpluem, Minister of Tourism and Sports opens
Cement Thai Home Mart Max, Pattaya Branch
Songklod Kaewvisit
Sontaya Khunpluem, Minister of Tourism and Sports
presided over the official grand opening of Home Mart Center Company Limited
and Cement Thai Home Mart Max situated opposite Big C Superstore on
Sukhumvit Road. Sansak Ngampiches, president of the advisory board of the
Ministry of Tourism and Sports, was one of the many distinguished guests in
attendance. Held on March 15, the opening of the Home Mart also attracted a
lot of shoppers.
Sontaya
Khunpluem (left), Minister of Tourism and Sports; Sansak Ngampiches (2nd
left), president of the advisory board of the Ministry of Tourism and
Sports, express their best wishes to Khanchit Vichaboonsiri, owner of Cement
Thai Home Mart.
Khanchit Vichaboonsiri, well-known local businessman and
owner, explained that Cement Thai Home Mart will facilitate home builders
and decoration lovers in Pattaya and Banglamung. The Home Mart, a one stop
service, mainly provides shoppers with house furniture, kitchen utensils and
equipment.
Khanchit added, “The Home Mart is a sub-branch of the one in Chonburi
City and was built to serve the growing demand in house furniture by people
in the area who love to shop for quality goods at reasonable prices.”
Thailand and Bulgaria sign up to a better future
Dr Virachai Techavichit, founder of The Regent’s School
and honorary consul in Thailand for Estonia, welcomed the Bulgarian minister
of education, Associate Professor Dr. Vladimir Atanassov, to the school’s
Pattaya campus on Thursday, 20th March. Dr Atanassov and Dr Virachai signed
a new agreement confirming Bulgaria as a partner in the Global Connect
programme. The minister was very pleased to meet Mrs Patricia Metham, former
head mistress of Roedean School, who is well known in Europe, as the
principal of the school and directly responsible for the programme. Dr
Atanassov also had a chance to meet with students from Bulgaria who are
already benefiting from the Global Connect scholarship scheme.
(From
left) Charge d’Affaires Roumen Sabev; the Bulgarian minister; The
Regent’s founder, Dr. Virachai; and the principal, Mrs. Patricia Metham.
Dr Virachai explained the vision that has led to the
scheme’s foundation: “The objective of the ‘Global Connect’
programme - its inspiration and continuing rationale - is to give young
scholars from newly emerging countries such as these Bulgarians the
opportunity to expand their horizons, to develop a greater breadth and depth
of knowledge and to learn from personal experience what it means to be a
responsible and enlightened leader in an international community. These
Global Connect Scholars will play a critical part in enhancing Bulgaria’s
position on the World’s stage.”
Global Connect scholars from Bulgaria join scholars from
several other European countries, such as Estonia, Slovakia and the Czech
Republic. All are selected by the education ministries of their home country
through a rigorous process of examination and interview, to ensure that they
have the intelligence, the talents and the sense of purpose needed to
achieve the highest levels of academic and personal success at The
Regent’s School.
The minister was accompanied by Roumen Sabev, charge d’affaires to
Thailand, Victor Melamed, honorary consul of Thailand in Bulgaria, Sombat
Laohapongchana, honorary consul of Bulgaria in Thailand, the president of
the Bulair Company and Mrs. Svetlll Zlatarska, chief of the minister’s
office.
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