|
TGI celebrates its fifth anniversary
Another milestone in Thai-German knowledge transfer
Elfi Seitz
The Thai German Institute (TGI) celebrated the grand
occasion of its 5th birthday, April 3 . A large celebration was held at the
Thai-German Institute (TGI) facility in Amata Nakorn to commemorate this
special day.
(from
left) Dr. Paul Strunk, chairman of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce,
Pairoj Sanyadechakul, senior industry inspector from the Ministry of
Industry, Holger Michael, deputy chief de mission of the Germany Embassy and
Narong Rattana, Thai director of TGI, during the signing of the MOU.
The
visionaries that made it possible: TGI German Director Walter Kretschmar
(seated) and TGI Thai Director Narong Rattana. Congratulations TGI!
Honored guests included the Austrian Ambassador Dr.
Herbert Traxl, plus Holger Michael the deputy chief de Mission of the German
Embassy who appeared for the German Ambassador Andreas von Stechow, as well
as Dr. Paul Strunk, the chairman of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and
Pairoj Sanyadechakul from the Ministry of Industry, and many high-powered
personalities from Thailand’s economic community. Both directors of the
TGI, Narong Rattana and Walter Kretschmar were also present.
In his opening speech Narong Rattana said, “We began
work in 1998 and we had a mission to promote the development of specialists
in Thailand. We have succeeded in doing this. The world’s industrial
nations have acknowledged that we have now entered the field of information
and communication technology. This new era requires enormous knowledge and
ability in order to be able to develop long-term competitiveness in the
manufacturing of systems. We prepare our students for this moment. For them
everything is possible in these areas.”
Walter Kretschmar, in his as usual charming manner said
in his speech, “A birthday is not only an occasion to look back and view
accomplishments, but also a time to contemplate the future. This is our 5th
anniversary so we are still young. For TGI, that means we still need
feedback from our customers to confirm we have fulfilled our task. If you
work in the area of training and advanced technology, there is no rest. We
must always be a step ahead. We are only as good as our people because our
personnel are the most important part of our work.”
“We put 40% of our gross income into the development of
our personnel and show our obligation in quality relations,” Kretschmar
continued. “But we are also only as good as our international network
permits. Around Thailand the newest level of technology and training to
ensure long and lasting operations are made possible by intensive
cooperation with Germans and other international partners.”
In his congratulatory speech, Pairoj Sanyadechakul, the
senior industry inspector from the Ministry of Industry said, “The
Thai-German Institute is an important part of the efforts of the government
to pass on knowledge of the newest technologies in order to promote the
development of Thailand’s skilled workers. Since the Institute began work,
they have carried on continuously in assisting in the area of the technical
cooperation and passing on of German technical knowledge. The Ministry of
Industry will continue to support TGI in its efforts.”
Elfi
Seitz (2nd right) presents a bouqet of flowers to Walter Kretschmar (3rd
right), German director of TGI, to congratulate him and his team on their
5th anniversary. Also seen is (from left) Peter Malhotra, managing director
of Pattaya Mail Publishing, Sue K. from TGI, Dr. Herbert Traxl, Austrian
Ambassador to Thailand, Holger Michael from the German Embassy and Dr. Paul
Strunk of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Pairoj explained that Thailand’s SME’s need more
support from the government, particularly in the areas of finance,
management, technology and training of specialists. TGI plays a central role
with its assistance in making Thailand’s SME’s more competitive in the
world market.
Pairoj said that if in the year 2005 the German Federal
Government terminates its contributions, the Ministry of Industry hopes that
TGI will remain active as advisors. He thanked the representative of the
German government and all contributors who had helped to arrange this
beautiful celebration.
Dr. Paul Strunk said, “TGI has laid the foundation for
today’s celebrations and will successfully cooperate for the next 5 years
to benefit Thai industry.”
Holger Michael, the representative of the German message,
said in his speech that the day’s celebration is symbolic of TGI’s work:
“The strength of the innovation is very important, a grandiose show for
the exhibitors.” He expressed hope that TGI will successfully work for
many years to come.
Young students and children put on an impressive show
between the speeches and inspired the several hundreds of guests.
During the event, guests also witnessed the signing of an
MOU on the “Integration of Resources and Strategies to Improve
Competitiveness in the ICT Age” between four organizations: the Department
of Vocational Education, the Department of Skill Development, the Federation
of Thai Industry and TGI.
The agreement will run for a period of 5 years. Its aim
is the long term development of Thailand’s human resources, with special
emphasis on upgrading the capacity of teachers and lecturers - an important
factor in industrial development.
The signatories were TGI Thai Director Narong Rattana,
TGI German Director Walter Kretschmar, Dr. Payungsak Jantrasurin,
director-general manager of DOVE, FTI Chairman Pradphad Phodhivorakhun, and
Panich Chitchang, director of the Technical Studies and Training Division of
DSD.
A second ceremony witnessed the signing of an MOU on the
“Establishment of an Innovation Technology Services Center at TGI”,
supported by the Thai and German private sectors. The two signatories were
TGI, represented by Thai Director Narong Rattana and German Director Walter
Kretschmar, and the Asia Pacific Committee of German Business (APA),
represented by Dr. Paul Strunk. The new center would undertake business
development, staff training and technology transfer for the benefit of both
countries.
After the contract signings the exhibition “Innovation
Day” was admired by honored guests and the other visitors and was then
followed by a buffet luncheon, with cuisine from all four corners of
Thailand.
With plenty of beer, Thai meals and much charm and friendliness from both
sides, some guests again and again held their glasses high to toast the
well-being of the birthday child, TGI.
Moody’s gives thumbs up to Thai economy
The US-based credit rating agency Moody’s Investor
Services has praised the Thai economy and the government’s ability to
control economic risk, and forecast that its revenues this year would exceed
spending by 79 billion baht.
In its official report on the Thai economy, Moody’s
described the Thai economy as having improved, saying that the government
was successfully controlling economic risk. This in turn assisted the
government in drawing up budgetary and fiscal measures, and boosted domestic
consumer confidence.
The Moody’s report also praised Thailand for reducing
foreign debts and boosting foreign reserves to US$36 billion, despite debt
repayments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of US$4.7 billion. The
revival of the fiscal sector points to sustainability in that sector.
However, the report also said that it would be some time
before Thailand’s financial system had fully recuperated, despite the fact
that debt restructuring was carried out by several companies and had now hit
50 percent of the total target figure.
The report blamed the judicial system for hindering debt
restructuring among small-scale debtors, while praising the Thai Asset
Management Corporation (TAMC) for improving Thailand’s non-performing loan
situation, particularly among banks in which the government had intervened.
The report concluded that the revival of the Thai economy
in 2002 augured well for the present and future, with the strengthening of
the regional economy going hand in hand with the strengthening of
Thailand’s fiscal base. (TNA)
Thailand’s power consumption sets new record on April 8
Domestic power consumption set a new highest record on
Tuesday, April 8 due to higher demand, as temperatures were on the rise in
the mid summer and economic activities were expanding, according to the
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
EGAT Governor Sitthiporn Ratanopas said the country’s
overall power consumption climbed to its peak at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
“At the time, the overall power consumption in the
country reached 17,826 megawatts, setting a new highest record, due to
higher temperatures in the summer, as well as rising demand of local
manufacturers prior to long holidays this week during the Songkran festival,
and the expanding Thai economy,” Sitthiporn said.
EGAT estimates that the country’s power consumption
will continue to grow this year, with its peak possibly reaching 17,888
megawatts.
The EGAT governor, however, urged that the public help
save energy, suggesting that setting air conditioners at 25 C, and regularly
cleaning their air conditioners would help save power bills by at least 10%.
(TNA)
Central bank to introduce Enterprise Resource Development Planning system
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has set aside 280 million baht
to improve its internal resources to make them more efficient. BOT’s
assistant governor Soawanee Suwannacheep said the bank will introduce an
Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) to develop its internal resources.
“Initially, the ERP system will be used for the
resource development of three projects. The first is a project for the
budgeting and inventory accounting system of the whole bank, the second is
the setting up of a banknote printing office, and the third project is to
develop a computer system for human resource management,” Soawanee said.
She said that the BOT has earmarked a budget of 130
million baht to hire a consultancy firm, while another 150 million baht had
been set aside for the development of hardware and software systems for the
bank.
The assistant governor explained, “We came up with the
idea of the ERP system five years ago but it was delayed because of the 1997
financial crisis. However, we think the time is now right to introduce the
system and improve the organization’s capacity.”
NESDB says war and SARS won’t adversely affect GDP
The US-led war on Iraq and the epidemic of severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS) will not have adverse impacts on the country’s
gross domestic products growth, according to National Economic and Social
Development Board’s Secretary-General Chakramon Pasukvanich.
General Chakramon projected the two events would last for
around two months and cause Thailand to lose around 30-40 billion baht in
tourism revenue. However he said this sum is relatively very small when
compared with the country’s GDP, which stood at around 5.5 trillion baht.
Many Thai tourists postponed their overseas trips and are being encouraged
to travel locally instead. The impact on GDP growth is expected to be less
than 0.1 percent.
“We have no plan to revise our economic growth estimate
of 4-5% for this year until June when the GDP in the first quarter is
announced. We will closely monitor the situation. But from our assessment,
the overall economy in the first quarter remains favorable. The economy is
expected to slow down in the third quarter, but we can step up efforts to
stimulate it,” said the NESDB chief. (TNA)
Finance Ministry say’s VAT to stay at 7% for at least two years
Thailand’s Finance Minister Suchart Jaovisidha recently
announced that the nation’s value added tax (VAT) will stay at 7 percent
for the next two or three years.
“The ministry feels an increase would have a negative
impact on consumer confidence,” Suchart said.
Suchart said ordinarily he would be in favor of raising
indirect taxes such as VAT and slashing direct income taxes. But the
government’s current economic policy is to pursue the consumer-led growth
model.
Instead Suchart said he hopes to continue to increase
revenue collection, which improved substantially last year. “This would
allow for a lower-than-expected budget deficit and curb on expenditure,”
he explained. (TNA)
Royal Cliff appoints new recreation & activities manager
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort, recently announced the appointment of Worapong Wongarmart as
Recreation & Activities manager. Worapong will be responsible for the
day-to-day operations of the exclusive Royal Cliff Sports & Fitness
Club, as well as all other recreation and activities requirements for
individuals and groups.
Worapong
Wongarmart
Worapong brings with him a wealth of experience from
previous positions he has held, including club manager at the Hilton
International Bangkok, Health Club manager at the JW Marriott Hotel
(Bangkok) and Club Reception & Activity supervisor at the Capitol Club,
part of the President Hotel Group.
The Royal Cliff Sports & Fitness Club, completed in
2000 and available to guests of the resort and members, includes a gym with
state-of-the-art equipment, 2 swimming pools, 6 floodlit tennis courts, a
jogging track, steam and sauna rooms as well as a games room and a 3-hole
practice golf course. The Royal Cliff Beach resort also has an extensive
program of recreational activities available throughout the week.
Maxxis world brand automotive tire moves into gear at Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong)
Maxxis
International (Thailand) broke ground for construction of its Thailand-based
automotive tire-producing plant of 167 rai, at the Eastern Seaboard
Industrial Estate (Rayong), developed by Hemaraj Land and Development Plc.
Wally Y.H. Chen (center left), president of Chengshin Rubber; David Nardone,
Hemaraj president & CEO (center right); H.M. Wu (6th right) assistant
vice-president, Financial Dept. and Lenny H.K. Lee (5th right) manager,
General Management Office, Cheng Shin Rubber all attended the launching
ceremony.
Sriracha signs contract with Wastewater Management Authority
Suchada Tupchai
Chatchai Timkrachang, Sriracha’s municipal mayor, on
March 25 signed a management contract with the Wastewater Management
Authority (WMA) in the presence of Akkanit Ampawasiri, director of the WMA
and Ittiphol Khunpluem, Member of Parliament for Chonburi Province.
The WMA will be responsible for working on
water-treatment equipment, quality check-up equipment, and making
improvements on the water treatment system. WMA said Sriracha locals should
be more concerned about their surroundings and help in protecting their
environment. The WMA will also implement an environmental awareness
campaign.
Sriracha is one of 8 cities officially urged to improve
its water resources by the WMA on October 1 last year. Other cities include
Petchburi, Hua Hin, Prachuap Kirikhan, Patong-Phuket, Chumseang Nakorn Sawan,
Sakon Nakhorn, Baan Phae-Rayong, and Pattaya City.
Sriracha is a popular holiday destination and one of the most heavily
populated districts in Thailand. Its environment needs better preservation,
especially water resources.
Plans to move power plant to Rayong run into local opposition
Hopes that plans to re-site the location of a contentious
electricity generating plant from Prachuab Khiri Khan to Rayong would be
plain sailing were wrecked on April 8 when it became apparent that Rayong
environmental groups are fiercely opposed to the move.
Sermrat Wongyuu, deputy secretary general of the eastern
branch of the Public Federation for the Environment, said that the
Cabinet’s resolution to move the coal-fired power station from Bo Nok to
Rayong’s Pluak Daeng District had run up against considerable local
opposition. Even without the plant, he said, Rayong was full of pollution,
with water sources, the air and the land contaminated with toxins from the
province’s industrial estates. And despite the multitude of problems,
nothing had been done to solve them.
Urging the Cabinet to review its decision, he accused the
Cabinet of passing its resolution without asking the views of local people,
and said that no environmental impact assessment (EIA) report had yet been
carried out on the relocation plans.
The Cabinet decided to locate the power plant in Rayong
after years of stalemate over the Bo Nok project, which was blocked by local
residents and environmentalists.
Sermrat described water sources in Pluak Daeng as the
province’s lifeblood, and pointed to the fact that the BLCP electricity
generating plant in Maptaput Industrial Estate was already causing problems
for the areas.
Sermrat said that the public federation would hold a
meeting in the near future to call on the Cabinet to rethink its resolution.
“It shouldn’t be a case of them not being able to
locate it anywhere else, so they dump it in Rayong, as it will have a direct
impact on the public. Rayong is not a dumping ground for pollution, as
there’s already so much pollution here we can’t cope with it,” he
said.
March auto sales leap 27 percent
A 27 percent rise in automobile sales over March has
pushed year-on-year first quarter sales up by 41 percent, with manufacturers
predicting sales of at least 500,000 vehicles this year and unprecedented
levels of exports.
Ninnat Chaitheeraphinyo, advisor to the Federation of
Thai Industries’ automobile industry group, said that overall domestic car
sales in March stood at 41,000 vehicles, representing a 27 percent rise on
2002 figures and a continuous increase from sales of 37,769 and 39,661
vehicles in January and February respectively.
This meant that overall sales figures for the first
quarter of the year were driven up to around 185,000 vehicles, a 41 percent
rise on the previous year’s sales.
Ninnat expressed confidence that annual domestic sales
for the year would hit the industry’s forecast of 500,000 vehicles, with
another 250,000 vehicles sent for export, pushing overall production to
750,000 vehicles, or 75 percent of total production capacity.
“The increase in car sales can be attributed to low
interest rates and the confidence of the Thai public in economic stimulus
measures. Despite the fact that sales growth rates in March were lower than
those for January and February, this growth can nonetheless be regarded as
substantial,” Ninnat said.
Thailand’s automobile usage is still extremely low
compared to other countries. In Thailand the average number of people per
vehicle is 13.2, compared to 1.7 in Japan, 2.1 in the US, 5.6 in Malaysia,
and 6 in Singapore.
As the Asian economy revives, Thailand’s car
manufacturers, including Isuzu, Toyota and GM, are investing more money to
use Thailand as an export base.
Ninnat said this was positive news for the economy as a
whole. “This increase in investment has boosted employment in the
automobile sector to 300,000 people, after 30 percent of staff was laid off
during the economic recession. At Toyota’s Gateway, they have
re-introduced two shifts for production staff and it looks as if more people
will be hired in the future,” he noted.
|
