Thai industrialists’ confidence worst in 2 years

Thailand’s monthly Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) plummeted to its lowest in 24 months, at 90.3, mainly due to the months-long political turmoil, an industrialist said last weekend.
Payungsak Chartsuthipol, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman, said the latest TISI in November declined 2.5 points from 92.8 in October.
The political conflicts have an impact on the overall economy and consumption, given decreasing purchase and sales orders, he said, calling for cooperation among all factions to urgently end the disputes.
He said operators of small and medium industries have suffered from financial liquidity which compels them to slow down their investment and business expansion.
He predicted the index in the next three months at 101.4, a decline from 102.4 in October, adding that industrial operators’ sentiment index in November was also lowered in domestic and international markets.
Politics have become the highest concern among industrialists in addition to the problems of oil price, currency exchange and borrowing interest rate, said Payungsak.
The FTI chairman urged the public sector to extend low interest loans to ease small and medium enterprises’ liquidity and elevate their production standard to meet global requirements as well as boost their competitive edge.
The government should seriously and successively solve political disputes and corruption, he said. (MCOT)

116 new products debut at ‘Thai Food to the World’ show

National Food Institute Deputy Director Orawan Kaewprakaisaengkul launches the Thai Food to the World” fair at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.

Warunya Thongrod
The Industry Ministry debuted 116 new food products to highlight Thai cuisine for the world.
The Dec. 13-15 “Thai Food to the World” fair at Central Festival Pattaya Beach was organized by the ministry’s National Food Institute, which is helping food producers expand markets through the “Creative Economy” program.
Institute Deputy Director Orawan Kaewprakaisaengkul said the ministry last year launched 60 products and this year wanted to expand opportunities for farmers and manufacturers by not only introducing more products, but also offering services to entrepreneurs.
As such, the event featured booths offering business-matching services, advice on Food & Drug Administration approval, product development, packaging and durability.

Tourists sample some of the offerings at the fair.

Food, however, took center stage, both among businesses and mall shoppers invited to try dishes including “khaew waan” curry puffs, “khao tom mut” (glutinous rice steamed in banana leaf), “khaew waan kai” sticky rice, “tom yum kung thong pub,” lean pork snack with “num” chili paste, fish with mushroom and carrot sausage and grilled fish rice crackers, “sadderd” pork floss, and Korat noodles with mushroom sauce.
The 116 new raw products included rice, plants, vegetables and fruits, fishing products, livestock and dairy goods. The “Creative Economy” products stressed technological development of food products, such as fried fruit with high fiber content and dried milk.
“I believe that this event has proved the potential of Thai food, including the ability of Thai operators who will strengthen the food industry of Thailand,” Orawan said. “The products that have passed development and expanded in terms of economic by the National Food Institute are products that have been made with systematic quality and can bring income for the country’s industry.”