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Thai Minister of Commerce meets German Foreign Chambers of Commerce
Minister of Commerce
Krirkkrai Jirapaet (center, first row standing) gave a presentation on
“Foreign Investment in Thailand” at a special luncheon held recently for the
German Foreign Chambers of Commerce during their Asia-Pacific Co-ordination
Meeting 2007 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Bangkok. The luncheon was organized
by German-Thai Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dr. Paul Strunk (third
right, front row standing). The German Ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Christoph
Bruemmer (third left, back row), and GTCC President Karl-Heinz Heckhausen
(third left, first row standing) were the guests of honour.
Marriott Resorts & Spas, Thailand appoints new Director of Sales & Marketing
Marriott Resorts & Spas, Thailand recently announced the
appointment of Mr. Atilla Erda as Director of Sales & Marketing. He will assume
responsibility for overseeing all the sales and marketing activities for
Marriott Resorts & Spas in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Pattaya.
 Mr.
Atilla Erda, the newly appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at Marriott
Resorts & Spas, Thailand.
Mr. Erda has a wide portfolio of experience in Sales and Marketing positions
from various hotels include Santiburi Group and Le Meridien. Prior to this
position, he was Vice President Sales & Marketing of The Unique Collection of
Hotels & Resorts.
Mr. Erda’s role will be to drive sales revenue, establish a reputation for the 3
resorts as top leisure destination resorts and increase the profile of Marriott
Resorts & Spas both regionally and nationally. He will play a major role in
spearheading and steering the resorts in all markets.
Speaking of his new appointment, Mr. Erda said: “Marriott is one of the best
hotel and resort chains in world. In 2006, Marriott Thailand gained many awards
such as the Best Hotel Chain Award from Fox Vakanties (a prominent Dutch tour
operator), Thailand Tourism Awards, the Best 100 Resorts in the World and First
Hotel in Asia from TUI Germany plus Best Luxury Hotel and Best Brunch in Bangkok
awards by Lifestyle & Travel magazine.
“Our 3 properties have already been well recognized by the industry and
international travelers. I believe that we have a great resources team for the
corporate, MICE and leisure sectors. I am very confident that with this great
team, we will achieve our goals and exceed the expectations from both guests and
owners”, Erda added.
PTTEP starts natural gas,
condensate production in Oman
Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) began
producing natural gas and condensate from the Shams field in Oman this month,
becoming the first Thai company to produce petroleum in the oil-rich Middle East
country.
Shams field is part of Oman’s tract 44 project located in the Suneinah desert,
about 300 kilometres west of the Omani capital of Muscat. PTTEP is currently the
operator of the Oman 44 project.
Witnessing the inauguration of Shams Central Processing Plant or SCPP at Shams
field on Saturday, Feb. 10 were Mohammed Hamed Saif Al-Rumhy, Oman’s Oil and Gas
minister, and Thai Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand.
Initially, the Shams field is expected to produce 50 million cubic feet per day
of natural gas and 4,000 barrels of condensate. Natural gas from the Shams field
will be sold to Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas while the condensate will be
exported to Thailand’s PTT.
PTTEP managing director Marut Marutkathut said the project was an important
milestone for the company and part of its success was attributed to the good
cooperation between Omani and Thai workers in the area.
“Shams condensate delivered to Thailand will reduce Thailand’s burden of heavy
petroleum imports. Our contribution may be small now but it’s a significant step
that we are taking on the road towards energy security in the long-term”, Mr.
Marut said. (TNA)
Legislators face tough
choice over Thai-Japan FTA
Despite the government’s intense effort to press ahead with
the draft free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan, appointed members of Thailand’s
National Legislative Assembly remain divided as to its pros and cons.
During the house debate last Thursday, Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet said
the bill was needed urgently as Thailand was not the only trading partner with
whom Japan was keen to conclude a deal.
He added five other ASEAN founding members were at different stages in their
negotiation and ratification processes of a similar pact with Japan. If Thailand
clinches the deal now, it will have a precious head start, he said, adding that
Vietnam - a key trade rival - was also reportedly trying to start free trade
negotiations with Japan.
Japan is Thailand’s second most important export market and the most important
supplier of goods and services. It is the largest foreign investor in Thailand,
accounting for 19 per cent of total foreign direct investment. Of 12 million
visitors annually, about 20 per cent are Japanese.
Krirkkrai said it was hard to admit, but Thailand needed Japan more than Japan
needed Thailand.
“In entering into the agreement, the government has taken into account national
interests, the rule of law and our international commitments under the World
Trade Organisation but we must not overlook the need for compromise. There must
be give and take. No party can win all the time,” Krirkkrai said.
He added that some local industries might be affected by increased competition
as restrictions on trade and investment with Japan have loosened up. Some
sectors might need up to a 5-7 year grace period. But the commerce minister
stressed that Thailand would also benefit from the trade and economic
partnership with Japan.
But critics of the proposed free trade agreement said that Thailand was not
negotiating from the position of strength. As a weaker trading nation, it was
bound to be taken advantage of by the economic superpower such as Japan in
bilateral trade talks.
Narong Chokewattana, NLA member and advisor to the Pan industrial conglomerate,
also criticised the secrecy surrounding the draft agreement. He said the
document should be disclosed to the public for consultation and debate.
“The draft agreement should have been disclosed in order to attract wider public
participation. Its secrecy is its weakness. I don’t understand why we can’t tell
Thai people what has been agreed in the trade talks with Japan. We are a
democratic country,” Narong said.
But he commended the government for seeking the assembly’s opinions on the bill.
It is the first free trade agreement that has come before the legislative branch
for debate. Previous agreements with Australia, New Zealand and China were
approved by the executive without scrutiny from the House. (TNA)
Thai Commerce Ministry
in trade talks with India
The Commerce Ministry has opened talks with India to add 7,000 new products
to the free trade agreement.
Chutima Bunyapraphasara, director-general of the Trade Negotiations
Department, told an audience at a seminar that the move was intended to
capitalise on Thailand’s success in making inroads into the Indian market
since the free trade deal came into force four years ago.
Thailand’s export to India rose 17 per cent last year totaling US$1.8
billion, outpacing India’s shipments to Thailand which was valued at US$1.6
billion. With a growing affluent middle class, about 300 million of them,
India represents a brilliant opportunity for Thai businesses, she added.
The Commerce Ministry has been in negotiation with their Indian counterparts
in a bid to expand the list of goods covered by the free trade pact from the
current 82 items. Up to 7,000 new products have been proposed.
Ms Chutima said Indian trade officials have expressed concern about the
rapid increase of exports from Thailand and might be reluctant to make
further concessions. But, she added, Thailand would negotiate bilaterally as
well as with members of ASEAN in order to improve its position.
Popular export items include canned seafood, air-conditioners, jewelry and
electrical goods. (TNA)
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