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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013463

The Treasury Department will invite bids in May to lease some 1,000 rai (160 hectares) of land in the special economic zone in Tak province, the department chief said on Wednesday.

Prapas Kong-iad, director-general of the Treasury Department, said two plots of state land are located in the special economic zone in Tambon Tha Sai Luad of Mae Sod district and the department will invite bids to lease the first plot.

The plot measures 1,076 rai. The Special Economic Zone Development Policy Committee resolved on May 21, 2021 to assign a subcommittee to review and increase the lease period, Prapas said.

He said the subcommittee decided to set the leasing rate of the first plot at THB36,000 per rai per year, totalling THB38.753 million for the entire plot. The leasing rate would be increased by 15 per cent every five years.

Prapas said the bidding fee would be THB269.119 million and the bid winner would be allowed to lease the plot for 50 years.

He said a bidder needs to have at least THB50 million registered capital and the bidders must be either legal entities or a joint venture with at least THB50 million registered capital. Each bidder must have had developed at least one property project, Prapas added.

The second plot of the state land, measuring 671 rai, has been leased by the department to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand at the rate of Bt25,200 per rai per year, totalling THB16.92 million for the whole plot per year. The rate will be increased by 15 per cent every five years. The first leasing fee is Bt167.88 million, Prapas added.

He said the department has been assigned by the government to manage state land developments in the special economic zone in line with the government’s 20-year national development strategy for achieving sustainable development goals.

He said the department supports local administrations to use state land for carrying out government missions to bring about investments in special economic zones in their jurisdiction.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013453

Thailand’s fruit juice exports in 2021 rose 14.31 per cent over the previous year and was valued at US $640.98 million (THB20.18 billion), the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said on Wednesday.

“Statistics from global market researching company Mintel revealed that in the past 10 years [2012-2021] Thailand has rolled out the second highest number of fruit juice products worldwide with 3,190 items, or 4.2 per cent of total products in the global fruit juice market,” TPSO director Ronnarong Poonphiphat said. “We are currently slightly behind China which is first with 3,628 fruit juice products, or 4.78 per cent, while Brazil is in the third place with 2,839 products, or 3.74 per cent.”

Ronnarong added that the United States was Thailand’s No. 1 market in 2021, as the country imported $266.3 million worth of Thai fruit juice, or 41.6 per cent of total fruit juice exports. China and the Netherlands are the second and third biggest markets for Thai exporters that are responsible for $48.18 million and $36.22 million worth of fruit juices respectively.

“The US market has high demand for organic fruit juices, especially among health-conscious consumers who prefer low sugar and low-calorie juices,” he added. “This trend has also opened new opportunities for fruit juices with extra healthy ingredients, such as added vitamins and prebiotics, which have helped manufacturers expand their product lines to larger groups of consumers.”

“The Covid-19 outbreak is one of the factors that helped boost fruit juice exports, as people have become more health-conscious during the pandemic and tend to consume more fruits and vegetables to strengthen their bodies’ immunity against the virus,” added Ronnarong. “We saw this trend from the increasing demand for fruit juices with low sugar, no colour or preservatives added, while sales via online channels have also increased due to lockdown of traditional markets.”

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Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013448

Small and medium-sized enterprises should prepare to face the negative impact from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the SMEs Promotion Office saidj on Wednesday.

Veerapong Malai, director of the office, said the war has already affected the global economy and Thailand’s economy would not be able to avoid the impact because Russia is a key trading partner and a lot of Russian tourists visited the Kingdom earlier.

Veerapong said Russia also served as a gateway for Thai exporters to reach markets in Eurasia.

He advised 565 SMEs, which exported to the two countries, to prepare contingency plans to cope with the situation.

The war has already increased the costs for SMEs due to the rising prices of oil and raw materials for making animal feed, Veerapong added.

Regarding Thailand-Russia trade relations, he said Thailand has been suffering a trade deficit, Veerapong said.

In 2021, Thailand’s exports to Russia were worth US$1.028 billion. The exported goods were mostly vehicles, auto parts, rubber products, tyres, machines, electric appliances and plastic products.

Of the total value, exports by SMEs accounted for US$146.8 million, up 83.2 per cent from the previous year. Of the total 906 exporters, who exported to Russia last year, 442 were SMEs whose export products included jewellery, artificial jewellery, fresh and processed fruits and communications equipment, Veerapong said.

He said Thailand’s imports from Russia were valued at US$1.752 billion, mostly crude oil, steel, fertilizers, and aluminium.

He added that Russia was also a key tourism market for Thailand with some 1.4 million Russians visiting the Kingdom before the Covid-19 pandemic, generating an income of Bt102.89 billion.

Thailand also had a trade deficit with Ukraine, with exports of $134.8 million lagging imports of $251.7 million last year.

Export products included vehicles, auto parts, rubber products, tyres, fruit, vegetables, processed meat and fish.

Veerapong said out of 322 exporters to Ukraine, 123 SMEs accounted for US$15.1 million, a growth of 30.6 per cent year on year. The exports by SMEs included vegetables, processed fruit, rice, cereals, jewellery and artificial jewellery.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013441

Homebuilders are planning to adjust construction fees up 5-8 per cent in April following a rise in the prices of fuel and some raw materials due to the war in Ukraine, the Home Builder Association (HBA) announced on Tuesday.

“Homebuilders are shouldering the rising cost of raw materials, especially steel rods, which are now over 50 per cent more expensive than last year,” said HBA president Worawut Kanjanakul.

“The other factors spurring the adjustment include rising labour costs, inflation and the interest rate, which will affect buyers’ decisions.”

Worawut said the association was following the situation closely, especially the government’s policy to raise the minimum wage to 492 baht per day.

“Currently some of the workers are paid more than that – 500-700 baht per day – but most of them are highly skilled labourers,” he pointed out. “Meanwhile, low-skilled workers are paid 331 baht per day on average. Should this go up following the government’s policy, the labour cost of homebuilding will skyrocket, as highly skilled labourers will also need to be given increased wages,” he said.

“Furthermore, some businesses have already reported labour shortages as foreign countries are now hiring Thai workers to substitute local workers after easing up restrictions on foreign arrivals,” Worawut added.

The HBA has organised its Home Building and Materials Focus 2022 event from March 30 to April 3 at Impact Muang Thong Thani to showcase innovations in homebuilding and attract potential customers.

The association expects to see at least 2.1 billion baht worth of contracts being signed at the fair.

The homebuilding industry in Bangkok and surrounding provinces has meanwhile set a target of 11.5 billion baht for the 2022.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013434

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index is expected to fluctuate between 1,635 and 1,655 points on Wednesday as investors await the results of a key US Federal Reserve meeting and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Krungsri Securities said.

It expected the Fed to raise the interest rate by 0.25 per cent to tackle inflation.

Meanwhile, a sharp fall in the oil price and China’s move to lock down Shenzhen to curb Covid-19 for a week would pressure the index, Krungsri Securities said.

It recommends purchase of the following as an investment strategy:

• KBank, BBL, TTB, KTB and BLA, which would benefit from a rising US bond yield and news of a US interest rate hike.

• GSPC, BGrim, SCGP, Gulf and EPG, which would gain from the falling oil price.

• BCH, CHG, BDMS, BH, Advanc and Intuch, which are defensive stocks.

The SET Index closed at 1,644.36 on Tuesday, down 15.79 points or 0.95 per cent. Transactions totalled 82.50 billion baht with an index high of 1,663.32 and a low of 1,639.90.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013432

The baht opened at 33.52 to the US dollar on Wednesday, unchanged from Tuesday’s closing rate.

Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool predicted the Thai currency would move between 33.45 and 33.65 during the day.

Poon said investors were awaiting the results of a key US Federal Reserve meeting, so the baht might swing sideways in a wide range.

He believes investors already have an inkling what the Fed’s monetary policies would be and any interest rate increase will not pressure the baht to weaken much. However, the Thai currency might be pressured in the short term by an uneven Chinese economic recovery, affected by the spreading Omicron variant, which in turn would affect Thai economy recovery, especially exports and tourism.

Furthermore, he said, sales continue of Chinese risk assets so investors might decrease their possession of assets in EM Asia.

As for the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Poon said, market worries have actually eased as the situation has not worsened. Thai assets are not seeing increasing sales so the baht will not be pressured to weaken much.

Poon said the baht’s resistance level was 33.50 to 33.60, which would see exporters selling the dollar. Meanwhile the key support level was 33.20, in which importers would buy dollars.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013395

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index is expected to fluctuate between 1,650 and 1,670 points on Tuesday as the latest round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have not reached a conclusion, Krungsri Securities said.

It added that the index would be affected by investors delaying trades to follow the US Federal Reserve’s decision on whether to raise the interest rate at its meeting on Tuesday-Wednesday.

“Meanwhile, the sharp fall in the oil price and China’s move to lock down Shenzhen city to curb Covid-19 for a week would pressure the index,” Krungsri Securities said.

It recommends the purchase of the following as an investment strategy:

• KBANK, BBL, TTB, KTB and BLA will benefit from news of US interest rate hike.

• PSL and TTA will benefit from the rising freight rate.

• GSPC, BGRIM, SCGP, GULF and EPG will benefit from falling oil prices.

The SET Index closed at 1,660.15 on Monday, up 2.14 points or 0.13 per cent. Transactions totalled Bt65.21 billion with an index high of 1,662.66 and a low of 1,651.90.

Published : March 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013393

The baht opened at 33.44 to the US dollar on Tuesday, weakening from Monday’s close of 33.38.

Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool predicted the Thai currency would move between 33.35 and 33.50 during the day.

Poon said the Thai currency could weaken further but the fall would slow and cause the baht to swing sideways as hope emerges over peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He noted that investors did not rush to sell risk assets even after recent negotiations failed.

He added that foreign investors’ moves for Thai assets will be an important factor in setting the baht’s direction. He explained that foreign investors are returning to Thai stocks but still selling short-term bonds. However, Poon said these sales might decrease as foreign investors had already halted speculation in the baht. If the war does not worsen, foreign investors would pile back in on Thai stocks.

Poon forecast a baht resistance level of 33.50, which would see exporters selling the dollar, and a key support level of 33.00 to 33.20, when importers would buy dollars.

The Russia-Ukraine war has forced markets into a risk-off state, which means they will remain volatile. Poon said business operators should use hedging tools such as options to manage risks.

Published : March 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013386

Total trade with neighbouring countries, including cross-border trade in January came in at 141.07 billion baht, up 9.49 per cent year on year, the Commerce Ministry reported on Monday.

However, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said he has asked the Agriculture and Foreign ministries to follow up on fruit exports to China.

He said China is a large market for Thai fruits, but its zero-Covid policy is far too strict, especially in terms of land transportation.

“Apart from implementing strict measures before closing containers, we have also asked for a special route to be set up to move Thai fruits to China. The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will be responsible for this issue,” he said.

“The Commerce Ministry, meanwhile, will implement proactive measures to manage fruit supply this year.”

Jurin added that his ministry will accelerate the reopening of borders and will negotiate new routes for trade.

“The China-Laos railway will serve as another route for Thai exports in the future,” he said.

Thailand’s trade with neighbouring countries in January came in as follows:

Malaysia: 30.54 billion baht, up 14.26%

Cambodia: 17.76 billion baht, up 17.94%

Laos: 23.45 billion baht, up 39.86%

Myanmar: 18.60 billion baht, up 36.26%

Singapore: 10.27 billion baht, up 26.05%

Vietnam: 8.06 billion baht, up 36.19%

China: 16.98 billion baht, down 24.34%

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40013381

Permanent secretaries of the Agriculture and Commerce ministries will meet on Tuesday to seek compromise over the soaring price of corn, which is driving up animal-feed costs, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Monday.

Corn is a key raw material in manufacturing animal feed but Jurin said the price has risen from Bt6-Bt8 per kilogram to about Bt11-Bt12, putting livestock farmers under pressure.

“Corn farmers are happy but those who raise animals are not because their costs have increased,” he added.

The permanent secretaries will seek a solution that will please both corn farmers and livestock farmers.

“The meeting will discuss all the facts regarding animal feed manufacturing, including costs. They will also discuss measures to bring down the cost of raising livestock,” Jurin said.

The minister noted that corn is one of three main raw materials in animal feed, the other two being wheat and dried fish.

He said the price of wheat is surging because Ukraine, a major exporter, has halted exports of the crop following the invasion by Russia late last month.

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION