e-UPDATE, 16 January 2017

GTCC e-UPDATE: 16 January 2017

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Upcoming GTCC Events Register now for our upcoming events: 20.01.2017 Eastern Seaboard Networking by SATCC 26.01.2017 GTCC Icebreaker Networking 1/2017: Welcome New Year Thailand Economic Factsheet 27.01.2017 GTCC Breakfast Talk with Respondek “Pitfalls in International Contracts – And how to avoid them” 04.02.2017 SHOM 2017 Charity Dinner: Music for A Better World 09.02.2017 GTCC Site Visit 1/2017: Fabrinet Co., Ltd. 09.02.2017 GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok @ Bei Otto 17.02.2017 GTCC Eastern Seaboard Seminar "Labour Affairs Matter – How to Avoid Labour Disputes in Thailand"

Update Magazine

Economy Megaprojects to seek PPP nod Twelve big-ticket infrastructure projects worth a combined 721 billion baht, marking the highest level of joint investment since the Joint Public-Private Partnership Act was enacted in 1992, are set to seek approval from the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Committee this year. (Bangkok Post, 16/01/2017) More Products under APTA increased Ministers from countries party to the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) met during the Fourth APTA Ministerial Council to conclude negotiations that will more than double the number of products under preferential tariff treatment in order to expand trade and boost growth in the region. (The Nation, 16/01/ 2017) More FTI urges companies to upgrade machinery The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has urged local firms, especially in the manufacturing sector, to invest more in new machines to save energy, raise competitiveness and create added value for products under Thailand 4.0.

(Bangkok Post, 13/01/2017) More Cabinet approves panel for oversight of megaprojects The cabinet yesterday gave the nod to setting up a committee to supervise the government's infrastructure megaprojects and requiring all projects worth more than 1 billion baht to disclose certain information to the public. (Bangkok Post, 11/01/2017) More Nod to state-unit strategy under Thailand 4.0 The State Enterprise Policy Commission yesterday approved strategies for state-owned enterprises in a bid to steer the country towards the Thailand 4.0 era built on innovation. (The Nation, 10/01/2017) More Monorail plans for Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen Plans are afoot for Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen to have monorails, which would simultaneously offer convenient transport for tourists, boost the local economy and tackle congestion. (Bangkok Post, 09/01/2017) More BOI launches e-Investment promotion, effective on 1 January 2017 Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has developed an online service (eInvestment promotion) to support the online submission of applications for investment promotion. Starting on 1 January 2017, all applications for investment promotion must be submitted via the e-Investment promotion system. Applicants can submit the form online at website: http://e-

Q1/2017: INFRASTRUCTURE Feature: Thailand plans massive investment in transport infrastructure; Fueling growth: Government spending on infrastructure spearheads economic recovery; Thai ICT infrastructure: Key enabler for industry and “Thai Digital Nation”; Interview: Mr. Kevin Burrel, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, Thailand Cluster, on Thailand as ASEAN’s transportation HUB; ThaiGerman Joint Declaration of Intent on co-operation in railways; Joint Chamber luncheon with the Thai Prime Minister; Dual vocational training delegation visit to Germany // Business Brief // Chamber Activities // GTDEE Insights // Trade Fairs // Members' Corner

German-ASEAN Business Council Quarterly Newsletter

- December 2016 - September 2016

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Swap your existing insurance contract to GLOBAL SOLIDOR Insurance Broker Co., Ltd. and get 7.5% discount on your next premium payment.

GTAI News Thailand wetteifert um Firmenzentralen Thailand möchte seine regionale Hubfunktion durch die Anziehung internationaler Headquarters und Trading Centers ausbauen. Das Programm schließt mehrere Aktivitäten ein und wirbt mit diversen Erleichterungen sowie steuerlichen Anreizen. Für deutsche Unternehmen empfiehlt sich das Konzept vor allem dann, wenn parallel geschäftliche Aktivitäten in den Nachbarländern zur langfristigen Unternehmensstrategie gehören - zuvorderst in Myanmar, Kambodscha, Laos und Vietnam. (GTAI Bangkok, 29/12/2016) More Thailands MICE-Sektor behauptet hohe Attraktivität Thailand arbeitet konsequent an seiner Hubfunktion für die regionale Unternehmensexpansion. Als wichtige Instrumente dienen hierzu die hochklassigen Konferenzhotels wie auch die breite Palette der regionalen Fachmessen. Der MICE-Sektor verzeichnet zweistellige Zuwachsraten und dürfte 2017 mit weit über einer Million Teilnehmern rund 3 Mrd. Euro erwirtschaften. Größere Investitionen kommen von den zwei führenden Messeplätzen BITEC und IMPACT sowie Iconsiam als Newcomer. (GTAI Bangkok, 28/12/2016) More

Companies & Industrial Sectors SCB’s DV to focus on investing in start-ups Digital Ventures (DV), the venture-capital arm of Thailand’s third-largest bank by assets, Siam Commercial Bank, is giving more weightage this year to direct investment in start-ups specialising in financial services to tap the B2B

iCamp Thailand is offering GTCC members a 10% discount for camp programmes from now until 12 March 2017. Get the kids unplugged this school break, and let them live, learn, play with the best!

Glossary AEC

ASEAN Economic Community

BOI

Board of Investment

BOT

Bank of Thailand

CCI

Consumer Confidence Index

CPI

Consumer Price Index

CLMV

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

CPF

Charoen Pokphand Foods

CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility

DV

Digital Ventures

(business-to-business) market. (The Nation, 16/01/2017) More

Fintech

Financial Technology

FTI

Federation of Thai Industries

GDP

Gross domestic product

Google launches "bootcamp" in support of start-ups in Thailand Google Thailand kicked off its “Start-up Bootcamp”, while it unveiled two startups, Wongnai and Skootar, as having joined its programme to connect start-ups with engineers, product experts and executives while also connecting them with start-up founders outside Thailand. (The Nation, 13/01/2017) More

IPO

Initial public offering

MoU

Memorandum of Understanding

Samsung bids to remain digital appliances leader Samsung has announced its strategy to tap further into the Thai digital appliances market this year. It says the strategy is designed to respond to four mega-trends: urbanisation, digital disruption, women’s power, and healthy lifestyles. (The Nation, 10/01/2017) More

NPL

Non-performing loan

OIE

Office of Industrial Economics

PPP

Public-Private Partnership

PHEV

Hybrid electric vehicles

R&D

Research and Development

SME

Small and medium-sized enterprises

TAT

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Conference offers insights on growing "campus girls" demographic group The “Campas Girls” market, estimated to be worth Bt150 billion, is attractive because of their “willing to pay” and “willing to share” shopping behaviour, but businesses and marketers have to learn how to win over their hearts, according to a conference held by the College of Management, Mahidol University (CMMU).(The Nation, 14/01/2017) More

2017 shaping as intriguing year for Thai auto industry While 2016 can be considered a tough year for Thailand’s auto industry because of several negative factors, 2017 promises an interesting mix of new product launches and technological innovations. With the carbon-dioxide-based excise duty reaching its second year, true demand for autos is coming back and 2017 may see the industry enjoying slight growth over 2016, according to experts.

(The Nation, 10/01/2017) More Importance of fintech and IoT to grow further in 2017 Information-technology trends this year will see big changes for the business sector, leading to greater efficiency and productivity through the use of fintech (financial technology) and value-based systems – and driving the country further along the road towards a digital economy under Thailand 4.0 development goals. (The Nation, 05/01/2017) More

GTCC Business & Study Trip to Germany

Thailand and ASEAN Sumitomo banks on rising demand for building machinery in SE Asia Southeast Asia is expected to account for a bigger slice of the global business of Sumitomo Construction Machinery Group (SCM) over the next five years. The Japanese machinery giant is basing its expectations on the region’s strong economic growth and large population, especially with its high proportion of young people. (The Nation, 14/01/2017) More Event management firms eye regional markets for growth Regional markets will become a significant business driver for leading event-

"Integrated Industry/Industrial Automation/Smart Factory" by visiting HANNOVER MESSE 2017 and Exclusive Site Visits 22-30 April 2017 (9 days 6 nights).

CLICK HERE for information on HANNOVER MESSE 2017

management agencies this year after the stagnation of the past couple years due to the political and economic uncertainties.(The Nation, 05/01/2017) More

CLICK HERE for the program CLICK HERE for the application form For more information and registration, please contact Ms. Kamolchanok Nantaburom at Tel: 02 670 0600 ext. 4004 or Email: kamolchanok@gtcc.org by Friday 10 March 2017.

IOD Luncheon “Corporate Governance in Germany”

Green Technology Thai electric car rolls out Thailand's first electric car brand has made its debut amid scepticism from an industry expert about its commercial viability. (Bangkok Post, 14/01/2017) More European carmakers hope to catch Tesla with faster e-car chargers FRANKFURT - Europe's biggest carmakers are drawing on the full force of the continent's industrial prowess to build a network of ultra-fast charging stations as they look to stoke demand for electric cars and break Tesla's stranglehold on the market. (Bangkok Post, 12/01/2017) More

>>More

EABC Exclusive Speech Dinner

Government must promote electric car industry: Dhanin The government needs to strategically invest in supporting an electric vehicle industry if it wants to maintain the country’s status as the region’s automotive hub and prevent international automotive companies moving their plants to other countries, said Dhanin Chearavanont, chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP). (The Nation, 09/01/2017) More Keynote Speaker: Dr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, the Governor of the Bank of Thailand Date: 23 January 2017 Time: 18.30-21.00 hrs.

Venue: Le Grand Ballroom, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit >>More

Chiang Mai World Fair 2017: 27-29 January 2017

Bilateral Business Bosch upbeat about connected mobility, industrial IoT in region Although the “Consumer Electronics Show 2017” in Las Vegas ended last weekend, the discussion about new technology with the potential to be introduced in and applied to markets like Southeast Asia has continued this week. (The Nation, 12/01/2017) More

Legal / HR / CSR Sustainability eyed to achieve parity Thailand requires a more balanced and sustainable form of development with the ultimate aim of ending hunger and promoting sustainable farming practices, says former Bank of Thailand governor. (Bangkok Post, 13/01/2017) More

A joint venture between the Governor and Diplomatic Missions based in Chiang Mai to strengthen links between the people of Chiang Mai and Northern Region and the world community. >> More Contact: Khun Waraporn Boonsala (Tu) Event Sales Manager Chiang Mai World Fair 2017 Tel. 089-960-8442 Email: cmwf17@gmail.com

Career Day 2017

Member News BMI says strong economy to drive sales Domestic sales of passenger cars are expected to rise by 2% this year, marking a recovery after four years of decline, with support from an uptick in economic growth and an increase in private consumption, says BMI Research. (Bangkok Post, 12/01/2017) More

We are pleased to introduce to you our new GTCC Birthday Programme. We intend to add value and cheer to our members' birthday by sending good wishes

RIS Swiss Section Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok (Minburi) is currently looking for professionals who are willing to participate at its "Career Day 2017" event. The event is planned for Thursday, 2 February 2017 at 10- 12 a.m. >> More

9th Annual THAI.GER Supporters Charity Tournament 2017

When: 28.01.2017, 10am-10pm (FREE! incl. Evening Program) Where: Ruamrudee International School - Swiss Section >> More

and special offers from our partners. What's more, in this e-UPDATE and the first e-UPDATE of every month, we will announce our lucky member born in the month who will receive a lucky draw prize.

Register now: Sustainable Energy & Technology Asia SETA 2017

We would like to thank our partner, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel for offering the January special surprise to Mr. Philipp H. Mcpherson

Our Partners Date: 8-10 March 2017 SETA is Asia’s premier sustainable energy and technology platform that brings together leaders from the public, private, civic and academic sectors to showcase and promote new technology in energy. The event is co-organised by the Ministry of Energy of Thailand and Chulalongkorn University, and endorsed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand and Ministry of Transport of Thailand and Ministry of Industry of Thailand .

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For further information please contact the followings.

Email : secretariat@seta.asia Tel. +66 88 242 2929 Website: www.seta.asia

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Chadaphan Maliphan Publication and Communication Manager Tel: +66 2 670 0600 ext 2005 Email: chadaphan@gtcc.org

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