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Thai food industry invited to join food fair in Japan
Thai producers and exporters have been invited to take
part in a promotional food fair in Japan’s third largest island, Kyushu,
on March 4, Thai trade officials said. The invitation was issued by
Japan’s Trade and Industry Board in Fukuoka, Kyushu’s largest city.
China, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and Canada have been also been invited to
participate.
Sixty booths are available at the fair, and firms wishing
to join the event must submit a company profile to the office of the Trade
and Industry Board in Fukuoka before January 10. Most importers in Kyushu
are medium and small-sized firms, with interests in semi-processed foods.
They are also in the market for organic food, fishery products and herbal
food.
Thailand is one of the largest food exporters to Kyushu,
but China is a major competitor because of its close proximity and low
production costs. (TNA)
Yoghurt for piglets
Yoghurt is not only good for humans, but piglets too,
according to a Thai scientist. Recent research has shown that yoghurt can
cure diarrhea in pigs, one of the main killers of piglets in local farms.
“Yoghurt works perfectly in curing piglets that have
been infected with ecoli bacteria,” Dr. Tassanee Apichartsarangkura, a
researcher of Chiang Mai University’s Agriculture faculty, revealed.
“Piglets fed with yoghurt twice a day can be cured within two days with a
success rate of more than 90 percent better than any anti-biotic
medicines,” Dr. Tassanee said. “Yoghurt’s best quality is that it
leaves no chemical residue in the pork,” she added.
These findings should benefit Thailand’s exports of
pork products. Excessive anti-biotic residue in pork products can cause them
to be rejected, and could affect Thai food exports in the long run. Dr.
Tassanee’s research was sponsored by the government-run Institute of
Science and Technology Development, which supports scientific research that
can improve Thailand’s competitiveness. (TNA)
Bangkok Motor Show sales fail to hit target
The head of the Thai Automobile Institute revealed that
sales at this year’s Bangkok Motor Show had been below initial forecasts,
but expressed confidence that domestic vehicle sales this year would hit the
industry target of 620,000.
Although members of the public continued to flock to the
Impact Convention Center on December 12 for the final day of the motor fair,
it was notable that the event organizers, International Media Co., broke
years of practice by refusing to give figures on sales or admissions.
However, Wallop Tiesiri, director of the Thai Automobile
Institute, said that International Media executives had told him that
vehicle sales at the show this year were below the original forecasts of
20,000 buyers making purchases worth a total of 25 billion baht.
However, he dismissed speculation that this signaled bad
news for domestic vehicle sales, expressing confidence that this year
Thailand would sell at least 620,000 vehicles on the domestic market, up
from 530,000 last year. He attributed the low sales at the motor show to the
fact that most visitors were Bangkok residents who favored saloon cars,
whereas the motor companies were promoting pick-up trucks and station
wagons.
Over the past two months, vehicle sales nationwide have
experienced a large upturn, he said, noting that pickup trucks were popular
with people living in the provinces. (TNA)
Exporters urged to hedge against currency exchange risks
Exporters should hedge against currency exchange risks
since the US dollar has currently fluctuated, according to Kasikorn Research
Center (KRC). The leading think tank projected the greenback would continue
to weaken next year because the deficit in the United States’ current
account and budget balance were likely to increase.
However, the greenback will likely to gradually
depreciate since the US and its key trading partners did not want the see
the global monetary market fluctuate. KRC said local regulators should keep
a close watch on the dollar movement to ensure the baht would not fluctuate.
At the same time, exporters should turn to count more on
other currencies such as the euro and Japanese yen to ease possible risks
from the slump in the dollar value. The export sector should be more
assertive in marketing and improving product quality and production
efficiency to boost competitiveness in the world market.
KRC projected the greenback would not weaken considerably
next year. However, countries must cooperate in solving economic woes for
the sake of the global economic expansion in the long run. Exporters should
not be reckless about the volatility of the US dollar. The report urged they
must hedge against currency exchange risks to protect themselves from the
fluctuation of the greenback. (TNA)
Rice exports expected to reach over 10 million tons this year
Thailand’s exports of rice are expected to reach over
10 million tons at the end of this year, thanks to constant demand from
overseas markets. Director-General of the Ministry of Commerce’s
Department of Foreign Trade, Rachane Potjanasuntorn, revealed that given
high purchase orders based on advanced deals, he believed that the
country’s exports of rice would be worth around US$2.7 billion.
He forecast that the country’s rice exports could total
8.5 million tons next year despite falling rice supply due to a widespread
drought in the country this year. The kingdom’s total harvest of Hom Mali
rice alone could reduce to 2-3 million tons this year, from around 5.2
million tons if there was no drought, he noted.
However, Exports of Thai rice in the first 11 months of
this year reached 9.26 million tons, worth US$2.48 billion, or 99.66 billion
baht - 38% higher in amount and 55% greater in value from the same period of
last year, he disclosed.
Rachane said that the price of Thai Hom Mali rice on the
world market could rise to US$500 per tons next year, from around US$420 per
ton currently due to the anticipated lower supply. He suggested that
exporters make early purchase of rice from farmers to keep for their export
stocks next year, as the trend of local rice prices is on the rise in coming
months. (TNA)
TAMC to team with banks in property management firm
Thai Asset Management Corporation (TAMC) plans to join up
with commercial banks and private companies to establish a property
management firm late this year to manage the first amount of three billion
baht in non-performing loans.
Kanjanapan Pansuwan, senior vice-president of TAMC, said
it was in the process of negotiating with commercial banks, which are
creditors of assets transferred to TAMC, for a possible establishment of the
property management firm in lieu of the property fund. He said the property
management company would be able to manage and develop real estate projects
more efficiently.
It is expected that TAMC will be able to start a pioneer
project by the end of this year. Assets allocated for development by the
property management firm under the new project are single houses with
unallocated land in 4-5 existing projects worth around 3 billion baht. The
property management company would be wholly owned by TAMC in the initial
period. The shares would be sold later to creditor banks. (TNA)
Alcohol out of favor with gift recipients
Alcohol is the least wanted New Year’s gift among
Bangkok residents, but the one that they are highly likely to receive,
according to a survey published recently.
The Bangkok Poll of 1,164 adults living in Bangkok found
a wide discrepancy in the types of presents that people said they wanted to
get, and the ones they said they were giving to others. Topping the list of
gifts to one’s seniors were health tonics such as birds’ nest soup and
chicken essence, which 53.4 percent of respondents said they planned to
give. Alcohol, nonetheless, made it into the list in fourth place after
fruits and One Tambon One Product goods on 4.1 percent.
Asked what they would give people junior to them, 29.8
percent of respondents mentioned cakes and cookies, 17.4 percent said
household decorations, and smaller number said fruits and alcohol.
But asked about what they would most like to receive,
27.9 percent of those questioned pointed to household objects, a mere 11.3
percent cited health tonics, 6.5 percent said gold jewelry, 6.3 percent
mentioned money and 5.9 percent said Thai fruits. Even more interesting was
the fact that a massive 46.3 percent cited alcohol as the present they would
least like to receive, while 12 percent said they had no wish for cakes and
cookies.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, while both male and female
respondents mentioned alcohol as their very least favored present – the
percentage was far higher among women than among men.
Respondents were also asked what they most wanted from
the government in the New Year. The survey pointed to widespread
disgruntlement over recent pay rises for politicians, with 20.6 percent of
respondents saying that they most wanted a rise in salaries for ordinary
workers in line with those handed out to MPs and senators.
A further 11.6 percent said they wanted action on traffic
jams, while only 7.9 percent of respondents said they wanted an end to the
southern insurgency.
At 7.8 percent and 7.2 percent respectively, almost equal
numbers said they wanted serious action on corruption and an end to the
government trying to boost its image in the eyes of voters. Although the
government has pledged to eliminate poverty over the next four years, only
2.4 percent of respondents cited this as their New Year’s gift of choice.
(TNA)
More Japanese investors to return to Thailand
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) president Kittirat
Na Ranong expressed confidence more Japanese investors would to return to
the Thai bourse upon acknowledgement of factual information on economic
conditions given at a recent road show. He said he had joined a team of
senior officials of the Fiscal Policy Office and the Bank of Thailand in the
road show at Tokyo early this week.
Kittirat said he believed Japanese investors, who had
withdrawn investment during the economic crisis, would return to Thailand
because of the strong economic recovery in the country, adding that they
would increase investment due to the stability of the baht, improved
profitability by listed companies, and strong financial structure of listed
firms.
The SET chief said the price/earning ratio of the Thai
bourse remained low when compared with other stock markets in Asia since
most listed companies enjoyed more profits. But he said the market outlook
remained promising next year given a decline in fuel prices, more dividends
to be paid by listed firms due to improved performances, and the upcoming
general election. (TNA)
Swarovski celebrates five years of success in Thailand
Elfi Seitz
His Excellency the Austrian ambassador, Dr. Herbert Traxl
came to the Long Beach Hotel in Pattaya to congratulate Josef Aigner on his
five years of successful work with Swarovski Pattaya.
Christian
J, Koidl (left) presents gifts to Josef Aigner, Mark Eder and Franz Mark.
The anniversary celebration took place in a beautifully
decorated showroom where Swarovski products were introduced, and the glitter
of the stones made visitors’ eyes sparkle.
After managing director Josef Aigner welcomed his guests
and expressed his gratitude for the company’s success, he yielded the
floor to the ambassador, who spoke a few words about how the economic bonds
between Thailand and Austria not only bring work, but also allows Austria to
become better known in this part of the world.
“This is an important bond between the two
countries,” Ambassador Josef said. “At the same time, this builds a
bridge between technology and beauty, art and economy.” The ambassador
also pointed out that the first economic contract between Thailand and
Austria was signed back in 1861.
H.E. Dr.
Herbert Traxl and Dr. Oskar Andesner enjoy the proceedings.
Dr. Oskar Andesner, the Austrian Embassy’s economic
advisor told the gathering that, “Despite the differences in culture,
cuisine and language, many Austrian citizens like to live in Thailand ...
and many Austrian citizens run successful businesses here. Josef Aigner is a
living example that Thailand is a good place for investment.”
Magistracy Christian J. Koidl, leader of this initiation,
said that he is more than happy to see the company’s success and everyone
at Swarovski is looking forward to another successful year in 2005. He then
passed on presents to Josef Aigner from the parent company in Tyrol, before
everyone went to the hotel gardens to enjoy a delicious dinner in beautiful
surroundings.
Part of the two celebrations entailed the revealing of
the company’s newly acquired AIBO (Artificial Intelligent Robot), complete
with over 5,600 Swarovski crystals. ‘Ico’, as it is affectionately
called by his ‘trainer’ Susie, amused the audience with its antics.
The entertainment robot, made by Sony, has the ability to
learn, think for itself and obey verbal commands. “He’s almost like a
real dog,” says Susie who has been in contact with Sony in Europe to
upgrade the mind software allowing ‘Ico’ to function better. ‘Ico’
comes with a wireless LAN card, digital camera and memory stick and is just
part of ACD Thailand’s collection.
The special free setting process developed by Swarovski
in Austria allows crystals to be adhered to any surface. Throughout the
weekend, this crystal art was put on display. Two of the eye-catchers were a
Harley Davidson motorcycle and a tuk-tuk.
To find out more, visit the ACD Office in Pattaya Bazaar, North Pattaya
or visit their website www. acdthailand.com
German Pfungstaedter Beer introduced to Thai market
Elfi Seitz
Under the theme “Sanuk – delicacies from the Far
East”, Palida Import Export Co. Ltd. exports Thai specialties to Germany.
But it also imports German specialties into Thailand. Forty different fruits
and vegetables in cans make German residents’ lives in Thailand happier.
The
evening was graced by many well known business and social personalities who
came to wish success to Rolf and Palida. (centre)
Yet, to do more to enhance understanding between Thais
and ‘Frankfurters’, two entrepreneurs, Rolf Levy, managing director of
Sanook Asia Company, and Palida Veerapiphat, manager of Palida Import
Export, thought of something really special to make that happen. They
decided to import the genuine Frankfurter Pfungstaedter Pils.
 Sucharee
Wongchai and Sathporn Aktoum thrilled the guests with the latin moves.
A party was held recently around the poolside of the Thai
Garden Resort to introduce the beer. Honoured guests included MR Thanatsri
Sawatdiwat, the famous Shell food-critic; Chanyuth Hengtrakul, adviser to
the minister of tourism and sports; Judge Prateep Tattukhanon, city
counsellor Vichai Rodpia, police chief Somnuk Changate, Phonpakorn
Lujirachon, Nathawut Ngiangtanont, Michael Riewaldt, and hundreds more who
came to taste the new brand of beer and to wish the enterprising couple good
luck in their venture.
 Now
how can you say no to a drink? ‘Ein Pfung bitte.’
MR Thanatsee Sawathiewat said in his opening speech that
the name Pfungstaedter reminds him in Thai language of the words
“successful and good” and said he was sure that this brand would do well
in the market.
Manager Palida said, “Palida Import-Export Company was founded on April
1, 2004 by Rolf Levy and me. After introducing canned fruits and vegetables,
we are now importing Pfungstaedter Pils from Germany. This brewery has
existed since 1831, and is renowned worldwide.” She added, “We are aware
that the market in Thailand is almost overrun by similar products, yet we
are sure Pfungstaedter beer will be the choice of discerning beer
drinkers.”
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