Adul Chotinisakorn, chairman of EXIM’s corporate governance and social responsibility committee, and Pisit Serewiwattana, president of EXIM Thailand, led the presentation.

The donation, made on October 4, was for support of scholarships, dormitory renovations and necessities for the disabled studying computer science at the Foundation for Support and Development of Disabled Persons in Nonthaburi.

EXIM Thailand stated that it held the “Life Capital” CSR project for seven consecutive years with an aim to promote its staff’s engagement in CSR activities while assisting people with disabilities to live independently and happily with adequate computer skills to earn a living.

Poverty has been on the decline in the Kingdom for some years. As one of the wealthiest countries in the fastdeveloping East Asia and Pacific regions, Thailand boasts one of the lowest levels of extreme poverty as measured by the International Poverty Line of $1.90 (Bt60) per day.

However, at the more stringent uppermiddle income class poverty line of $5.5 (Bt180) a day, Thailand’s poverty rate of 7.1 per cent in 2015 was similar to its wealthier neighbour, Malaysia, according to World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update figures released yesterday.

“Thailand’s poverty rate is estimated to be 4.8 per cent this year but we are worried that the decline may be slower in years to come due partly to the low price of farm products,” said Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, a senior economist at Thailand’s World Bank Office.

Global farm product prices have been diverging from oil prices – the latter is rising but the former remain low, a changing trend from the past, when commodity prices went up and down together.

While inequality in Thailand remains a challenge, the average incomes of the bottom 40 per cent of the population rose faster than the average increases enjoyed by the overall Thai population over the period 20102015, the World Bank said. Inequality declined in the long term but remains higher than most other developing East Asia and Pacific countries.

Kiatipong says the Thai government’s policy has been steered in the right direction, with more investment in infrastructure projects and the introduction of tax reforms.

Thailand’s economy will grow 4.5 per cent this year, 0.4 percentage points higher than it forecast in April this year, the World Bank said.

Public spending on infrastructure projects has been driving economic growth, which has quickened since 2013, according to yesterday’s report.

However, over the medium term, Thailand needs to improve its human capital and education system to increase its competitiveness, said Sudhir Shetty, World Bank chief economist for the East Asia and Pacific.

Thailand’s growth is expected to slow to 3.9 per cent in 2019 and 2020 due to a slowdown in public spending and exports.

Growth in developing East Asia and Pacific countries is expected to be 6.3 per cent in 2018, lower than the 6.6 per cent in 2017, due to the continued slowing of China’s growth as its economy continues to rebalance.

Risks include the impact of trade disputes and financial market turbulence, caused by the US rate rise, which has led to capital outflows from emerging markets, the Bank warned.

Supawan Teerarat, strategic business development at the TCEB, said TMVS is considered one of our main missions towards the enhancement of image and confidence of Thailand’s MICE industry for both service providers and users. Additionally, TMVS is a tool for leveraging the service quality of MICE venues and a marketing promotion.

TCEB has joined hands with 17 MICE-related associations, the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, Trade Exhibition Association, Business of Creative and Event Management Association, Thai Hotels Association, Association Of Thai Travel Agents, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Provincial Administration, National Institute for Development of Teachers, Faculty Staff and Educational Personnel, Ministry of Education, Mahidol University, Kanchanabhishek Institute of Medical and Public Health Technology and many more.

Workshops have been provided by the TCEB in 10 areas, Bangkok, Rayong, Phuket, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Prachuab Khirikhan, Songkhla and Pattaya. Attendees totalled 553 from 267 MICE venues, with the application for TMVS assessment from 181 MICE venues.

“We believe that most Asia-Pacific REITs can absorb a gradual increase in rates, given their robust interest coverage metrics, limited amount of floating-rate debt, and modest upcoming maturities,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Craig Parker.”However, under severe stress scenarios of an interest rate jump of 200 basis points (bps) and 300 bps, a small number of entities that have an overweight exposure to floating interest rates would face ratings pressure.

“Asia-Pacific REITs’ prudent financial stance has built a buffer for the ratings to withstand debt-funded growth and economic shocks.The notional average rating is ‘A-‘ for the 58 rated REITs in the major Asia-Pacific real estate markets of Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

The four projects are U-Tapao International Airport, Maintenance, Repair and Operating Supplies or MRO at U-Tapao, Lam Cha Bang Port Phase 3, and Industry Port at Map Ta Phut phase 3, deputy of Defense Minister Chanchai Changmongkol said after the meeting yesterday , chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha.

The bidding will be conducted under the Public-Private Partnership scheme and is aslo open to foreign investors, said the committee’s secretary general Kanit Sangsubhan said.

The committee expects to open bidding for the projects in February next year , Kanit said.

The BOT said on Thursday that those who want to own a second home should be required to put down payments of up to 20 per cent of the house value. The  loan-to-value (LTV) will be limited to 80 per cent from 90 to 95 per cent currently.

Currently, banks ask for only 5 to 10 per cent down payments.

The central bank has invited banks, property developers and consumers to give their opinions until October 22 before it will decide on the measures, expected to be adopted in January next year.

This would also apply to houses priced Bt10 million and more, but would not be applied to first home ownership.

This year, the list featured four new entrants, including Vaseline in skin care products, Roza in canned food category, Kasikorn Bank in financial services and Dell in laptop and notebook products and services.

The result also showed 14 brands earning the most-loved brand by every consumer group nationwide. The presentation was held at Mahitaladhibesra building, Chulalongkorn University.

Assoc Prof ML Sawika Unahanandh, director of Master Program in Branding and Marketing, Chulalongkorn Business School, Chulalongkorn University said ‘the [event] is a research program focusing on brand strength and power.

“Now in its fourth year, the [event’s] survey was included 12,400 consumers aged 18 to 59 over a six month period, with 50 per cent of respondents in Bangkok and the other 13 big cities including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nakorn Sawan, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakorn Ratchasima, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Rayong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla”.

“The Most Powerful Brands of Thailand 2018” results analysed how brands become popular in a changing world. The ranking is based on four key criteria: awareness, preference, usage and image.

Public spending on infrastructure projects has been driving economic growth, which is at a faster pace since 2013, according to the World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released on Thursday in Manila.

However, over the medium term, Thailand needs to improve its human capital and education system to increase its competitiveness, Sudhir Shetty, World Bank chief economist for the East Asia and Pacific said via a video conference.

Thailand’s growth is expected to slow down to 3.9 per cent in 2019 and 2020.

While growth in developing East Asia and Pacific countries is expected to be 6.3 per cent in 2018, lower than 2017 of 6.6 per cent, due to the continued moderation in China’s growth as its economy continues to rebalance.

Risks include the impact of trade disputes and financial market turbulence, caused by the US rate rise, which has led to capital outflows from emerging markets, the Bank warned.