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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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