WEB BBS FEB 18
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BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT<br />
THAILAND BUSINESS NEWS<br />
Thailand looking to woo more German investment<br />
Thailand is seeking more investment from<br />
German companies particularly in its so-called<br />
“S-Curve” industries that comprise of 10 specially<br />
targeted sectors. These include: robotics<br />
for industry, smart electronics, medical and<br />
wellness tourism, digital and medical services,<br />
next-generation cars, agriculture and biotechnology,<br />
food, biofuels, biochemicals, logistics<br />
and aviation.<br />
Thailand’s Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong,<br />
who met the German Ambassador to<br />
Thailand, Peter Prugel recently, made it clear<br />
that he was keen to co-operate with German<br />
companies, and saw that many have expertise<br />
in various sectors particularly the automotive<br />
sector.<br />
Mr. Sontirat was quoted as saying, ”At the<br />
meeting, the two parties were very keen to<br />
expand cooperation in trade and investment.”<br />
There are more than 600 German firms operating<br />
in Thailand currently and Germany is<br />
Thailand’s largest trading partner in the EU.<br />
SCB, KBank report lower profits.<br />
Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikorn Bank,<br />
two of the largest commercial banks in Thailand,<br />
reported a drop in net profits for 2017 and<br />
especially in the last quarter.<br />
Part of the reason for the profit drop was the<br />
larger than normal provision for bad debts.<br />
Kasikorn bank was the worst performer. Its net<br />
profit dropped by 14.5 per cent to 34.3 billion<br />
baht in the full year 2017. Fourth quarter earnings<br />
plunged nearly 44 per cent year-on-year to<br />
5.71 billion baht.<br />
Although the bank’s overall non-performing<br />
loan ratio slightly improved to 3.3 per cent from<br />
3.32 per cent, there was a large charge for full<br />
year loan loss coverage that jumped 23.9 per<br />
cent to 41.8 billion baht. Fees and interest<br />
income rose 6 per cent and 5 per cent respectively<br />
but even these were unable to put much<br />
of a dent in the profit decline.<br />
Siam Commercial Bank posted net profits<br />
down from 47.6 billion baht the previous year<br />
to just 43 billion baht in 2017.<br />
Asia Plus Securities vice-president Usanee<br />
Liurut, was quoted as saying, ”Regulatory risk<br />
was a key factor pressuring banks’ provisions<br />
and earnings in 2017, and the heavy impact<br />
was seen in the fourth quarter.”<br />
Freight terminals expected in another four<br />
locations.<br />
According to the Transport Ministry, Freight<br />
terminals in the form of cross-docking centers<br />
are expected to be expanded in four more<br />
provinces this year as part of a wider expansion<br />
that could see eleven more centers created<br />
in all.<br />
The news came as construction started at<br />
Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong location. It was<br />
announced that four more terminals would be<br />
constructed in Nong Khai, Tak, Nakhon Phanom<br />
and Mukdahan.<br />
The Chiang Rai center will provide a single<br />
point for all requirements for cargo transportation<br />
from China through Laos and into Thailand.<br />
The first phase is expected to be complete<br />
by 2020.<br />
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith<br />
was quoted as saying, ”The ministry is aware<br />
of the significance of freight transport and we<br />
are pushing the project. Once it’s completed<br />
there will be customs, immigration and quarantine<br />
(CIQ) operations at the center.”<br />
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