GTCC e-UPDATE: 26 September 2016
If you have trouble viewing this in email, please click here
Upcoming GTCC Events Register now for our upcoming events: 28.09.2016 Executive Breakfast Talk: “Labour Law Matters – How to Avoid Labour Disputes in Thailand” 29.09.2016 Special Luncheon with Prof. Dr. Joern Dosch 29.09.2016 Ice Breaker Networking: GTCC-FTCC-TICC Innovation & Lifestyle Night 05.10.2016 Thai-German Industry 4.0 Symposium – The future of smart manufacturing / Technology solutions for Thailand
Thailand Economic Factsheet
21.10.2016 Site Visit to Umicore Autocat & ZF Lemforder & Eastern Seaboard Stammtisch 22.10.2016 Oktoberfest Pattaya 2016
Update Magazine
Sponsorship Opportunities at GTCC Eastern Seaboard
Stammtisch GTCC is very pleased to invite you to become our sponsor for GTCC Eastern Seaboard Stammtisch on Friday, 21 October 2016, at Hotel Baraquda Pattaya MGallery by Sofitel. The event regularly welcomes over 100 guests from German-Thai, Australian, American, British, Belgium / Luxembourg-Thai, Canada, South African-Thai, Singapore-Thai and Netherlands-Thai Chambers of Commerce and European Association for Business and Commerce. It is definitely an ideal platform for your brand’s exposure to various business communities in the Eastern Seaboard area. More
Q3/2016: Bangkok Megacity
Economy SME Bank seeks to cut bad loans to THB 18bn The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand (SME Bank) expects to reduce its non-performing loans (NPLs) to 18 billion baht by the end of this year from 20 billion. The drop in NPLs is expected because of government policies raising the efficiency of Thai SMEs as well as improved cost and marketing management to increase their revenues. (The Bangkok Post, 26/09/2016) More Cabinet set to consider THB 35-bn Chao Phraya promenade project The Cabinet will soon consider the THB 35-billion project to construct a promenade along a 140-kilometre stretch of the Chao Phraya River from Pathum Thani, to Bangkok and on to Samut Prakan. This project is part of the heavily-criticised "Chao Phraya for All" initiative. The feasibility study on the 140km-long promenade will make its way to the Transport Ministry before the end of this month, after which the proposal will be handed over to the Cabinet for approval. (The Nation, 26/09/2016) More BoI upbeat on growth in local R&D Nine Thai companies applied for investment privileges in research and development (R&D) during the first eight months of the year, with investment worth 530 million baht.Under its 20-year plan, the government aims to raise average R&D spending to 1% of GDP from 2017-21, 1.5% from 2022-26, 2% from 2027-31 and 4% by 2036 -- on par with developed countries. (Bangkok Post, 23/06/2016) More Central bank to allow fintech experimentation The Bank of Thailand (BOT) will open the way for financial-technology (fintech) product experimentation under its regulatory “sandbox” in the first quarter of next year, in the hope that fintech developers applying to participate can receive licences quickly once they decide to commercialise their products or services. (The Nation, 21/09/2016) More New business registrations soar in August
Feature: Bangkok becoming a megacity as BTS Skytrain expands to urban satellite areas; Bangkok facing major challenges as a megacity; Huge potential of construction and infrastructure sectors for Thailand’s AEC hub role // Business Brief // Chamber Activities // GTDEE Insights // GTCC Gala Night 2016 // Trade Fairs // Members' Corner
Preferred Benefits
TP Technical Panels is offering GTCC members 50% Discount on GPS Tracking Service plus complimentary consultation of fraud of fuel from company vehicles.
According to the Business Development Department, the number of new business registrations in August 2016 rose 26% over the same month last year to 6,200, increasing the number of registrations for the first eight months to 42,911 -- a 3% increase year-on-year. Investment capital rose by 46% last month to 19.36 billion baht, with the total for the first eight months up 27% at 161.37 billion baht. (Bangkok Post, 20/09/2016) More Phuket will pioneer country's digital drive The government has vowed to turn Phuket into a hub of startup businesses as well as a "smart" city, as part of the government's so-called Thailand 4.0 new economic model, said the Prime Minister of Thailand. Last September, the cabinet approved placing the super clusters in nine provinces. The food processing, medical services and digital clusters will be located in Chiang Mai and Phuket. (Bangkok Post, 17/09/2016) More
iCamp Thailand is offering GTCC members a 10% discount for the October camp programme. The camp offers sports, dance, circus, arts and crafts classes to campers between the age of 8 to 16 years old. iCamp is based in Kanchanaburi and has an extensive facilities of water park, sports fields, theatre, studios and bunk rooms set amongst natural environment.
Glossary
Companies & Industrial Sectors PTTEP turns to technology options, PTT eyes on the S-curve PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) plans to emphasise technology to further cut costs during an extended period of weak oil prices. More PTT Plc. is considering investing in new S-curve growth businesses under its express solution and corporate venture capital fund. (Bangkok Post, 26/09/2016) More Economic woes to cut number of small events The number of small-size events held in Thailand is expected to fall 15 per cent this year due to the ongoing economic slowdown, while most large events will continue to be staged. (The Nation, 24/09/2016) More Car sales rebound in August Domestic car sales bounced back to grow 2.6% year-on-year in August after dipping 0.4% in July to 60,635 vehicles.The automotive industry club of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reported that the rise was mainly due to the gradual recovery of domestic consumption, a launch of new models and bookings from last month's Bangkok International Grand Motor Sale at Bitec. (Bangkok Post, 22/09/2016) More Korean e-commerce platform launches "11street Campus" in Bangkok South Korean e-commerce platform 11street launched “11street Campus� in central Bangkok. The Campus is separated into various zones with a wide range of services for small and medium-sized enterprises and equipped with state-ofthe-art technology of photo studios for businesses to showcase their products.Thailand is the fifth global location for 11street with more than 2,000 sellers registered to the platform. The company expects nearly 20,000 sellers by
AEC
Asean Economic Community
BOI
Board of Investment
BOT
Bank of Thailand
CSR
Corporate Social Responsibility
FTI
Federation of Thai Industries
MoU
Memorandum of Understanding
NPL
Non-performing loan
PTTEP
PTT Exploration and Production
R&D
Research and Development
SEZ
Special economic zone
the end of 2017. (The Nation, 21/09/2019) More Lufthansa, Air China ink route-sharing deal Lufthansa has signed a route-sharing deal with China's flagship carrier Air China, capping off two years of talks that will boost Germany's biggest airline's access to the world's fastest growing aviation market. (Bangkok Post, 21/09/2016) More Joint focus on resort for the elderly The Amatara Wellness Resort in Phuket and Bangkok Hospital Group have announced integrated tourism and wellness services to serve ageing societies mainly in Asia and Europe. Half of its customers will be from Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China and South Korea, and half from such countries as the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and Australia. (The Nation, 20/09/2016) More BTS bets big on property BTS Group Holdings Plc is restructuring its property business to support a fiveyear residential development plan worth 100 billion baht and expand its commercial property segment. The company aims to raise the real estate revenue proportion from 10% to 15% of the total in 2018. The BTS-SIRI partnership plans to develop 25 residential projects worth a combined 100 billion baht in 2015-19 with a focus on locations close to mass transit lines. (Bangkok Post, 19/09/2016) More Thai builders team up with the Japanese Thai homebuilders yesterday teamed up with the Japan Traditional Wooden Home Association to transfer technology and know-how, and to support Thais working for Japanese homebuilding firms. (Bangkok Post, 15/09/2016) More
AHK World Business Outlook SURVEY
The internationalization of business is increasing – at the same time the uncertainty about the global effects on the development in some countries is rising. To shape policy and inform the public, we would like to use the broad range of member companies of the world-wide network of German Chambers (AHK) to assess global economic developments. Your kind participation in the following survey will be greatly appreciated. The survey is accessible until 30 September 2016. http://ahksurvey.webtop.de/Login.htm Note: The survey is available in both German and English version and will take no more than 3 minutes to complete. The link also works on mobile devices.
Thailand and ASEAN Twelve Thai firms among 79 setting up facilities in Thilawa SEZ About 79 companies from 17 countries, including 12 firms from Thailand, have signed agreements to set up facilities in Thilawa --- Myanmar’s first special economic zone (SEZ). Japan topped the investors' list with 39 firms, followed by Thailand. Among them, 13 firms have been granted commencement certificates by Thilawa SEZ Management Committee and they have already started operations. (The Nation, 26/09/2016) More Laos, Malaysia and Thailand kick off ASEAN multilateral power trading Laos, Malaysia and Thailand have signed an Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) that paves the way for multilateral trade in electric power by 2018.
Festival of the Germans 26 November 2016 Deutsch / English
Malaysia will import up to 100 megawatts of hydroelectric power from Laos, which will be transmitted on the existing power grid that passes through Thailand. (Nikkei Asian Review, 23/09/2016) More
Contact Person
Singha earmarks B4.8bn for ASEAN hub Singha Corporation, the distributor of Singha beer, has allocated 4.8 billion baht to build an integrated food industrial estate in Ang Thong province, aimed to become a food hub in ASEAN. Construction slated to be completed by 2021. (Bangkok Post, 20/09/2016) More ThaiBev plans big presence in ASEAN market Thai Beverage has decided to concentrate its energy on expanding its alcohol and non-alcohol as well as logistics businesses as part of its 2020 vision to become a stable and sustainable ASEAN leader. (The Nation, 13/09/2016)More Chadaphan Maliphan Look to ASEAN for promising renewable energy market The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN is a political and economic organization of ten Southeast Asian countries.. Formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, membership has since expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Covering more than 4.5 million square kilometres and comprising a population of more than 600 million people, ASEAN is about the size of the European Union. But these are probably the only similarities the two economic unions share. (CLEAN TECHNICA, 21/09/2016) More
Green Technology Thailand: A green approach There’s no denying Thailand is going to see a massive spurt in energy demand in the coming decades. Even factoring in conservative assumptions such as the country’s population remaining the same, the successful implementation of its Energy Efficiency Programme, and the development of a smart grid, energy consumption is set to jump 75 percent over the next two decades, according to the Thailand Power Development Plan of 2015. At the same time, energy imports are expected to rise from 42 percent in 2013 to a staggering 78 percent in 2040. (Asian Legal Business, 16/09/2016) More Tall order for Gamesa in Asia Gamesa is to supply 33 turbines to Gunkul Engineering for the 67.5MW Sarahnlom wind farm in Thailand. The Spanish manufacturer will deliver 18 G114 2MW units and 15 G114 2.1MW machines on towers 153 metres high, which will make them the tallest turbines in Asia. In total, including the 56-metre blades, the turbines will have a height from ground to tip of 210 metres, Gamesa said. (renews, 20/09/2016) More
Publication and Communication Manager Tel: +66 2 670 0600 ext 2005 Email: chadaphan@gtcc.org
Bilateral Business BoI lines up European roadshows The government plans to hold roadshows in France and Germany next month, aiming to attract more investment and technology transfers. According to the Board of Investment (BoI), the roadshows, set for 4-8 October 2016, would focus on major manufacturers such as automotive companies. They will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, and seek to meet global companies to entice them to invest in Thailand." (Bangkok Post, 20/09/2016)More
CSR Private sector urged to play social role Private companies are being urged to play a greater role in improving the quality of life, particularly for the elderly, disabled, young and impoverished. The government also pledges to offer measures including tax incentives to private companies that take part in the scheme to upgrade the quality of life of certain groups of people. (Bangkok Post, 24/09/2016) More Thai firms top ASEAN CSR Survey Thailand came in first place among ASEAN countries in a survey on corporate social responsibility by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and ASEAN CSR Network. (The Nation, 21/09/2016) More Kärcher supported Wat Srakaew in Angthong and the MotoCross GP in Suphanburi Kärcher Thailand participated in the 2nd cleaning festival at Wat Srakaew Orphanage on 20 August 2016. The orphanage currently houses and runs a school for more than 2,400 children. The Kärcher team brought along their machines and helped with the cleaning of the wet rooms and sanitary facilities. Besides that, Kärcher Thailand sponsored the premium spray lances for the kindergarden’s shower areas, enabling the kids to enjoy their shower.More Earlier in March, the company also supported the FIM Motocross World Championships Grand Prix held in Suphanburi, especially by providing its cleaning services. More
Member News Adecco Staffing launches new brand identity Adecco Staffing, the main brand of Adecco Group, the world’s leading provider of HR solutions, today launched its new brand identity in Thailand. The new identity includes a new logo, more engaging visuals, a UX-focused website and enhanced communications tools. It will allow Adecco Staffing to enhance candidate and client engagement with a warmer and livelier tone, look and feel. (ADECCO, 22/09/2016) More Executive Training on professional management The Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, recently organised a training course for executives on international professional management. GTCC President and Executive Vice President of B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding Mr. Phongsakdi Chakshuvej was invited to the event as its key speaker. (B.Grimm, 16/09/2016)
Have you followed us on Social Media?
Click here to unsubscribe this GTCC e-UPDATE
25th Floor, Empire Tower 3, 1 South Sathorn Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand Tel.: +66(0) 2670 0600 Fax: +66(0) 2670 0601 http://thailand.ahk.de e-mail: gtcc@gtcc.org Deutsche Bank AG Bonn (BLZ 380 700 59) Nr. 0647669 Bangkok Bank Ltd. Bangkok A/C 118-301859-5