#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Job creation, tourism thrust of Bt92-bn stimulus projects okayed by Cabinet

Econ

Jul 09. 2020

By The Nation

The Cabinet has approved the first batch of economic stimulus projects worth Bt92.4 billion and also allocated Bt15.5 billion to support job creation and tourism-related projects.

Traisulee Traisoranakul, the government’s deputy spokeswoman, said the Cabinet on Wednesday (July 8) agreed in principle to okay the first batch of economic stimulus projects under the Bt400-billon emergency package to shore up the economy impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The combined cost of the first 186 projects approved in principle is Bt92.4 billion. The final approval will follow shortly, Traisulee said.

These projects cover three areas — Bt51.3 billion to boost the grass roots economy, Bt20.3 billion for financing sustainable development projects, and Bt 22.4 billion for boosting consumption and tourism.

The Cabinet has agreed to allocate Bt15.5 billion to finance five projects which are designed to create employment and promote tourism. Other projects will be approved in subsequent Cabinet meetings.

First, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will launch retraining projects for farmers with a budget of Bt9.8 billion. The projects are expected to create 8,018 jobs and generate income for 44,099 farmers nationwide.

Second, the Interior Ministry will implement projects costing Bt4.8 billion to raise the quality of life of farmers. These projects will create 6,492 jobs for farmers and generate income for 25,179 farmer households and increase tree plantation to 25,759 rai.

Third, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will implement community businesses regarding earth and fertiliser services with a budget of Bt169.9 million. The ministry aims to create 2,364 jobs and boost value-added business worth Bt253 million as well as reduce chemical fertiliser usage by 20 per cent, or by 18,000 tonnes.

Fourth, the Tourism and Sports Ministry will spend Bt15 million to create safety zones for tourists. It will cover five locations, namely Bangkok’s China Town, Asiatique in Bangkok, Chonburi’s Bang Saen beach, Ban Rai Kong King village in northern Chiang Mai, and Nan province’s old town.

Fifth, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will organise wildlife learning in national conservation parks for tourists with a budget of Bt741.5 million. These projects will create jobs for 1,250 people in wildlife conservation areas, including 125 local tourist guides and entrepreneurs.

She said the Cabinet had also approved Thailand’s hosting of MotoGPmotorcycle racing from 2021-25 with a budget of Bt900 million.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Uncertainty over Covid-19 pulls down SET

Econ

Jul 08. 2020

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index fell 10.76 points or 0.78 per cent, closing at 1,362.46 today (July 8). Total transactions stood at Bt66.274 billion with an index high of 1,379.71 and a low of 1,361.24.

During the morning session, a stock analyst at Krungsri Securities said he expected the index to fall between 1,360 and 1,365 before rebounding owing to uncertainty about the Covid-19 pandemic as the US is getting approximately 50,000 new cases daily. This negative sentiment has also brought down the price of crude oil.

However, he said, the index will rebound from speculation in stocks whose second-quarter performance is expected to improve, while export stocks should benefit from a weakening baht.

The top 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were STGT, AOT, PTT, STA, EA, ADVANC, PTTEP, KBANK, CPALL and TOP.

As of 4.30pm, the price of crude oil dropped by US$0.10 or 0.25 per cent to $40.52 per barrel, while gold rose by $1 or 0.06 per cent, to $1,810.90 per ounce.

Asian indices were mixed:

Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 22,438.65, down 176.64 points, or 0.78 per cent.

China’s Shanghai SE Composite Index closed at 3,403.44, up 58.10 points, or 1.74 per cent, while Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 13,406.37, up 242.39 points, or 1.84 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 26,129.18, up 153.52 points, or 0.59 per cent.

South Korea’s KOSPI Index closed at 2,158.88, down 5.29 points, or 0.24 per cent.

Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 12,170.19, up 77.22 points, or 0.64 per cent.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

BBL to temporarily close services for maintenance on July 10-11

Econ

Jul 08. 2020

By The Nation

Bangkok Bank (BBL) is temporarily closing its system for maintenance to improve and increase efficiency, the bank said.

Customers will not able to use the service from July 10 (11pm) to July 11 (8am).

The services that will be switched off are: mobile banking; Bualuang iBanking and Biz iBanking

Services that be closed from July 10 (Midnight) to July 11( 2.30am) are: PromptPay money transfer service from other banks into Bangkok Bank accounts and from Bualuang ATMs; eWallet service; cross-bank bill payment service; payment for goods and services via the internet (e-commerce) with a Bangkok Bank debit card; registration for direct debit service; SMS service via Bualuang ATMs; Bangkok Bank mobile banking and Bualuang iBanking; buying or selling funds and bonds through various banks’ electronic channels; online retail funds transfer, and payment for goods and services via Bualuang ATMs will not receive SMS notification of transactions.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Gold prices soar amid increasing Covid-19 cases globally

Econ

Jul 08. 2020

By The Nation

The price of gold rose by Bt300 per baht weight in morning trade on Wednesday (July 8), the Gold Traders Association reported.

As of 9.27am, the buying price of a gold bar was Bt26,450 per baht weight and selling price Bt26,550, while gold ornaments cost Bt25,969.08 and Bt27,050, respectively.

At close on Tuesday (July 7), the buying price of a gold bar was Bt26,150 per baht weight and selling price Bt26,250, while gold ornaments were priced at Bt25,681.04 and Bt26,750, respectively.

The spot gold price moved to US$1,794 (Bt56,136) on Wednesday morning after the price rose by $16.4 to $1,809.9 (Bt56,634) per ounce at close on Tuesday, the highest in almost nine years.

Investors were buying gold as a safe-haven asset due to uncertainty following the increasing number of Covid-19 cases worldwide.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Limited upside potential for SET as US Covid-19 cases soar

Econ

Jul 08. 2020

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose by 3.16 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 1,376.38 in the morning session on Wednesday (July 8).

A stock analyst at Krungsri Securities expected the index to fall between 1,360 and 1,365 before rebounding due to uncertainty about the Covid-19 outbreak as the number of new cases in the US has increased by approximately 50,000 people per day, adding that this negative sentiment had also caused crude oil price to drop.

However, the index would rebound from speculation, such as in stocks whose second-quarter performance will improve and export stocks that would benefit from the weakening baht.

He recommended that investors buy:

▪︎ Food and electronic stocks that benefit from the weakening baht, such as CPF, GFPT, TFG, KCE, DELTA and HANA.

▪︎ Stocks whose second-quarter performance will improve, such as TOP, PTTGC, SPRC, BGRIM, CKP, TASCO, STA and SPALI.

▪︎ Stocks that benefit from the Cabinet’s domestic tourism stimulus measures, such as MINT, CENTEL, ERW, AOT and AAV.

The SET Index rose by 0.95 points on Tuesday (July 7), or 0.07 per cent, closing at 1,373.22. Total transactions amounted to Bt81.868 billion.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Stocks drop after 5-day rally; dollar gains

Econ

Jul 08. 2020

By  Syndication Washington Post, Bloomberg · Claire Ballentine · BUSINESS 

U.S. stocks slumped, with airlines and hotels particularly hard hit, amid signs that the world economy has a long way to go to get back on track.

Almost six shares fell on the S&P 500 Index for every one that gained. The tech-heavy Nasdaq gauges dropped from a record intraday high in the afternoon as heavyweights such as Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. turned lower. European shares slipped on concern the economy will take longer to recover.

Gold climbed to the highest since 2011. The dollar strengthened and Treasury yields dipped. Brazil’s currency and stocks slumped as President Jair Bolsonaro said he had tested positive for Covid-19.

Stock investors took a breather after a ferocious rally that fueled the S&P 500’s best winning streak this year. While data show the global economy may be past the worst of the slump, it’s a long road back to pre-crisis levels. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic said the renewed spread of coronavirus may threaten the pace of the recovery as businesses and consumers put plans on hold.

After “a five-day rally where the market’s up quite a bit, it’s not so surprising to have a little bit of a pause,” said Jeff Mills, the chief investment officer at Bryn Mawr Trust Co. “It’s just sort of the natural movements of the market. You can’t go up in a straight line every single day.”

The European Commission gave its starkest warning yet about the impact of the pandemic. Officials now forecast a contraction of 8.7% in the euro area this year, a full percentage point deeper than previously predicted. Novavax Inc. surged after it was awarded $1.6 billion in U.S. funding to support large-scale manufacturing of its vaccine candidate.

Elsewhere, most Asian shares dropped, even as Chinese stocks powered ahead for a sixth day, although at a slower pace. The offshore yuan briefly strengthened through the 7 per dollar level for the first time since March.

These are the main moves in markets:

Stocks

– The S&P 500 Index fell 1.1% as of 4 p.m. EDT.

– The Stoxx Europe 600 Index sank 0.6%.

– The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.7%.

– The MSCI Emerging Market Index decreased 0.9%.

Currencies

– The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index gained 0.4%.

– The euro decreased 0.3% to $1.1274.

– The British pound rose 0.4% to $1.2543.

– The Japanese yen weakened 0.2% to 107.55 per dollar.

Bonds

– The yield on 10-year Treasurys dipped four basis points to 0.64%.

– Germany’s 10-year yield was little changed at -0.43%.

– Britain’s 10-year yield sank two basis points to 0.18%.

Commodities

– West Texas Intermediate oil fell 0.8% to $40.32 a barrel.

– Gold rose 0.7% to $1,796.73 an ounce.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

SPCG evaluates customers in Covid-19 fallout

Econ

Jul 08. 2020Dr. Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern

By THE NATION

Energy company SPCG Plc is evaluating the impact the Covid-19 outbreak has had on its customers on a case by case basis, chairperson Dr Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern said.

She added that a large number of SPCG’s customers are in industrial estates and have the potential of installing solar rooftops. However, she said, the company will check and see if they still want to install the system in the Covid-19 fallout.

Since the company believes the outbreak will have an extended impact on the economy, it aims to cut its costs by Bt300 million this year and revise down its revenue target for 2020 to at least Bt5.5 billion from its previous target of Bt6.7 billion, she said.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Bids for EEC’s Digital Park to be sought soon

Econ

Jul 08. 2020The ministry’s permanent secretary, Ajarin Pattanapanchai

By THE NATION

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry is expected to sell bid documents this month to develop Digital Park Thailand in the much-touted Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the ministry’s permanent secretary Ajarin Pattanapanchai said.

The ministry had initially started making the documents available in June last year, but no bidders picked them up as they were reportedly waiting to see progress in the high-speed railway project linking three international airports.

Since the train project has already clinched the winning bid, the ministry has returned to the plan of selling the documents. She said this time the ministry expects to spend three months in selecting qualified bidders and plans to award the contract within this year.

The ministry believes at least two major investors are keen on the project, construction for which should begin next year and it should go into operation by 2022.

The zone should be fully occupied within five years.

The project, expected to cost Bt4 billion, occupies 709 rai in Chonburi’s Sri Racha district, with Phase 1 covering 120 rai. The entire project comprises basic infrastructure, smart facilities, underground electricity cables as well as fibre-optic cables.

She said this zone is just 3 kilometres from the Sri Racha high-speed train station and a transport system will be set up to connect the station with the Digital Park. The authorities aim to woo top global universities to set up campuses at this venue.

The park will cater to six kinds of digital investment, namely hardware and smart equipment, software, digital services and design, communications equipment, digital content and digital infrastructure. The Internet of Things (IOT) Institute will also take up 30 rai in the park.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

SET buoyed by hope of V-shaped economic recovery

Econ

Jul 07. 2020

By The Nation

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index rose 0.95 points or 0.07 per cent to close at 1,373.22 today (July 7), with transactions totalling at Bt81.868 billion with an index high of 1,391.77 and a low of 1,373.20.

During the morning session, a stock analyst at Krungsri Securities said he expected the index to rise 1,385 and 1,400 points on the back of hopes that economic recovery will take a V-shape now that many countries are easing their lockdown measures.

“The market gained positive sentiment after learning that the US services index rose to 57.1 in June, while retail sales in the Euro zone rose 17.8 month-on-month in May and the China purchasing managers’ index rose to 58.4 in June,” the analyst said.

“However, we advise investors to beware of market volatility as Covid-19 cases continue rising in the US, causing some states to put off moves to ease lockdown measures,” he added.

The top 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were STGT, PTT, EA, STA, SUPER, GPSC, CPALL, AOT, GULF and BAM.

As of 4.30pm, the price of crude oil dropped by US$0.58 or 1.43 per cent to $40.05 per barrel, while gold dropped by $8.60 or 0.48 per cent, to $1,784.90 per ounce.

Changes in Asian indices were mixed:

Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 22,614.69, down 99.75 points, or 0.44 per cent.

China’s Shanghai SE Composite Index closed at 3,345.34, up 12.46 points, or 0.37 per cent, while Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 13,163.98, up 222.26 points, or 1.72 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 25,975.66, down 363.50 points, or 1.38 per cent.

South Korea’s KOSPI Index closed at 2,164.17, down 23.76 points, or 1.09 per cent.

Taiwan’s TAIEX Index closed at 12,092.97, down 23.73 points, or 0.20 per cent.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Shippers’ council predicts further contraction in exports

Econ

Jul 07. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thai National Shippers’ Council revised down its forecast for export growth to a 10 per cent contraction year on year from its previous estimate of an 8 per cent contraction due to a number of risk factors, chairman Ghanyapad Tantipipatpong said on Tuesday (July 7).

This revision is based on an exchange rate of Bt31 to the US dollar. The baht stood at Bt31.12 to the dollar on July 5.

The risk factors include continued appreciation of the Thai currency, global economic slowdown which has affected demands by trading partner countries and disrupted logistics systems in export destinations due to Covid-19 related lockdowns.

The only positive factor is the continued expansion of the export of farm and food products as well as medical supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Exports in May contracted 22.5 per cent year on year to US$16.278 billion (Bt507 billion), while imports dropped 34.91 per cent to $13.583 billion.

From January to May, exports dipped 3.71 per cent to $97.898 billion, while imports fell 11.64 per cent to $88.808 billion.