The share citing negative impacts from recent tariffs rose to 35% in October from 28% in July, though almost one-third of respondents report there’s been no impact, according to a National Association for Business Economics survey released Monday. Among goods producers, two-thirds say tariffs hurt their business conditions, down from more than three quarters in July, according to the survey of 101 members from Sept. 26 to Oct. 14.

“After more than a year since the U.S. first imposed new tariffs on its trading partners, higher tariffs are disrupting business conditions, especially in the goods-producing sector,” NABE President Constance Hunter said in a report on the group’s business conditions survey.

Despite the complications from trade frictions, more than two thirds of firms say they haven’t changed plans for hiring and investing in reaction to actual or potential U.S. policy shifts.

Special questions on the labor market showed employers still grappling with tight conditions with the unemployment rate at a half-century low of 3.5%. Most respondents say their firms have taken one or more steps to address staffing difficulties such as training their staff for promotions. That’s become increasingly common, with 42% doing so versus 36% in July.

High-skill positions remain hardest to staff, with 82% citing challenges versus 89% in July. Some 45% report difficulty filling mid-skill jobs, more than in July, and a sixth struggled with low-skill posts. Goods producers have the hardest time with mid- and low-skill jobs, while services companies had the most difficulty landing high-skill workers.

Raising wages remains the most common remedy for employers trying to fill openings, with more than two thirds of goods producers doing so and 43% among all industries. About a third of companies are investing in labor saving processes, and more than half of producers.

With Federal Reserve policymakers due to meet this week, half of NABE members surveyed said recent interest-rate cuts haven’t changed their expectations of business conditions this year and more than a third said the reductions have made their outlook more favorable.

The central bank lowered rates for the first time in a decade on July 31 and made another reduction on Sept. 18. Analysts and traders expect a third-straight rate reduction to be announced on Wednesday.

Of the 101 survey respondents from private-sector firms or industry trade associations, 41% were from firms with more than 1,000 employees while 15% were from companies with 101-1,000 staff and the remainder from smaller businesses, including some single-person firms.

The event is being held from Monday until Thursday at Bitec, Bangkok, by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, which is under the Digital Economy and Society Ministry.

Among the AIS highlights are the use of the 5G network to remotely control a driverless vehicle and the use of 5G in industries.

AIS chief executive Somchai Lertsutiwong shows a 5G speed test on a 5G-enabled mobile phone.

The soup constitutes 0.2 per cent of the company’s sales revenue and will be subjected to 6 per cent import duty when the suspension takes effect in the next six months.

CPF has gradually adjusted its business model, prioritising overseas investment.

New production plants have been established in targeted countries to serve local consumers and these overseas ventures are prospering and contributing about 70 per cent of total sales revenue, Prasit said.

CPF, which has invested in ready-to-eat food production in the US, has achieved its growth targets and anticipates bright business prospects in the years ahead, the CEO said.

Meanwhile, pork prices have been on the increase as concerns about African Swine Fever subside. In Vietnam, for example, the price of 1kg of pork has hit 55,000-57,000 Vietnamese dong (Bt71-Bt73.50), which is the highest this year. A similar improvement is taking place in Thailand.

Prasit stressed that CPF expects to achieve its business targets in 2019 and anticipates continued growth in 2020.

DTAC CEO Alexandra Reich demonstrates the 5G test to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Dtac booth.

Dtac is waiting to see the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)’s complete roadmap of the 5G spectrum allocation and the final licensing terms and conditions of the auction.

Telecom operators and Information and Communications Technologies companies are showcasing advanced technologies, including 5G, at the four-day event.

“Dtac’s strategy is driven by the ambition to humanise digital technology for customer experiences and an empowered society. 5G promises to provide significant benefits to citizens, business, and the public sector. To fully capture the benefits of 5G, collaboration between businesses and public agencies is strongly required to unlock the full potential and promote a more inclusive Thailand,” Reich added.

“In support of 5G connectivity in the future, Dtac has been exploring services beyond mobile connectivity such as smart agriculture. Dtac is demonstrating our commitment and readiness to apply advanced technology to benefit people’s lives in a connected society,” she added.

Telenor Group, Dtac’s major shareholder, has been appointed as EU’s project coordinator to accelerate the uptake of 5G across Europe for the first commercial service launch in 2020.

The 5G use cases span across vertical industries, such as fish farming and Fixed Wireless Access or FWA. Recently, Telenor Group has become the first mobile operator to integrate 5G into its mobile network, allowing anyone with a 5G mobile phone to access the super network of the future in Elverum, Norway.

It is also continuing to expand 5G network in several locations in Norway this year, such as Fornebu, Trondheim, Bodø (selected base stations), Oslo (selected base stations), Askvoll, Svalbard, Kvitfjell, Herøya and Frøya.

The Dtac pavilion at Digital Thailand Big Bang 2019 is presenting the concept of a “Never Stop” station. It includes the hands-on experiences of 5G on 28 GHz spectrum on a mobile phone, to show the full potential of 5G that is expected to shape a new behaviour of internet users in Thailand.

The NBTC intends to complete bidding on 56 licences for spectrum bands of 5G wireless broadband service by early February.

Related story: NBTC aims for 5G rollout within March

The development marks the first residential project from Germany’s finance hub marketed in Thailand.

“Generally, most Thais looking for opportunities to invest in overseas residential properties show exceptional interest in the UK, the US and Japan,” said Napapat Wanitcharat, director of International Residential at JLL. “The marketing of Eden in Thailand will unveil to Thai investors the strong investment potential of Frankfurt’s residential market, another major safe haven for overseas investors.”

According to data from JLL, Frankfurt’s home prices have been on the rise for more than a decade and are likely to grow further as the city’s residential market has remained undersupplied. With about 736,000 residents, Frankfurt has a housing shortage of about 50,000 units and a very tight residential vacancy rate of 1.5 per cent.

“Buyers in Frankfurt’s residential market comprise both locals and foreigners who have purchased units for their own use or as an investment. Studios and one-bedroom units are most popular as the two types typically enjoy the healthiest rental demand in the vicinity of Frankfurt’s business district,” Napapat said.

According to the company, Eden has an exceptional location in the heart of Frankfurt, a variety of amenities and “spectacular” architectural design. The project has been developed by Immobel, one of the fastest growing property development firms in Europe.

Upon completion in 2021, the project will feature a 27-storey tower with 263 residential units of 30 square metres to 194sqm and priced between €358,200 (Bt12 million) and €3.13 million.

“Investors who purchase a unit at Eden and put it up for rent can expect investment yields ranging between 3 and 4 per cent per annum. However, most buyers place greater focus on potential capital gain in the long term as residential prices in Frankfurt are likely to rise due to limited supply,” Napapat said.

“With the current uncertainties in the world, coupled with more challenging conditions in Bangkok’s condominium market and a stronger baht currency, we expect Eden to be well received by Thai investors who are looking for new opportunities in less volatile markets such as Frankfurt,” she added.

Under the agreement, the new Westin Yangon will feature 281 rooms and suites alongside 90 premium serviced apartments with spectacular views overlooking central Yangon and the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda, the company said in a press statement.

The 26-story hotel is being planned as part of the Yoma Central integrated real estate development project, which has been designed by acclaimed architect Cecil Balmond OBE.

Upon completion in 2021, Yoma Central expects to be anchored by the restored former headquarters of the Burma Railway Company, one of Yangon’s oldest and most cherished colonial-era buildings.

Yoma Central plans to also feature two Grade A office towers and a collection of luxury private homes.

“Given its local expertise and strategic vision for development in Myanmar, Yoma Land is an ideal partner for debuting the Westin brand in this market,” said Paul Foskey, chief development officer, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

“The signing of The Westin Yangon marks a significant milestone in Marriott International’s continued growth in Southeast Asia and we look forward to partnering with Yoma Land in building on this momentum,” he added.

Westin has more than 220 hotels in nearly 40 countries and territories.

“It’s an honour to work with Marriott International to introduce its Westin Hotels and Resorts brand to Myanmar,” said Stephen Purvis, head of Yoma Land. “The Westin Yangon will be a great place for leisure and business travellers alike who will be able to enjoy the hotel’s world-class services and facilities. This is a significant moment in Yoma Land’s strategy of seeking out the very best of international partners to reinforce our position as a leading developer in Myanmar.”

The Westin Yangon is strategically located close to the city’s attractions, including Sule Pagoda, Chinatown, Merchant Street and the historical central business district. The area is 18 kilometres from Yangon International Airport.

The USTR said it was rescinding eligibility of the few seafood products covered by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in addition to numerous other products from Thailand. This will increase tariffs on those goods imported into the US and the new regulations will come into effect in six months.

The decision will not have a material impact on Thai Union Group’s business, as it does not sell seafood or pet food products to the US under the GSP.

“At this time, I do not foresee this decision by USTR having an impact on our business,” said Thai Union’s chief executive Thiraphong Chansiri.

Thai Union is firmly committed to working with governments around the world to improve worker rights in global supply chains, he stressed. “In 2015, Thai Union launched its sustainability strategy, SeaChange, an integrated plan of initiatives designed to drive meaningful improvements across the entire global seafood industry. A key pillar of SeaChange is a commitment to worker rights through providing safe, legal and freely chosen employment in our own facilities and in supply chains. At Thai Union, we aim to be the world’s most trusted seafood leader,” Thiraphong explained.

In September, Thai Union was ranked number one in the world in the Food Products Industry Index of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for the second year in a row. The company has now been listed on the index for six consecutive years. Importantly, Thai Union achieved an industry best-in-class 100th percentile ranking for total sustainability score, including the same ranking for Codes of Business Conduct, Supply Chain Management, and Human Rights. In October, Thai Union was ranked as number one in the Seafood Stewardship Index out of the 30 largest seafood companies globally, and Thai Union’s Dr. Darian McBain was recognised with a Freedom Award by Anti-Slavery Australia.