|
TCEB to benchmark events to lift standards
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has formulated a new
ASEAN-centric strategy and launched an Approved Event by TCEB project aimed
at standardising and uplifting exhibitions in Thailand to international
level.
TCEB exhibition director, Supawan Teerarat, said the bureau had allocated
more than 70 million baht (US$2.15 million) to support a series of
activities under the strategy to position Thailand as the preferred
exhibition destination in South-east Asia.
One such activity is TCEB’s commissioning of an independent auditor, The
Searcher, to audit around 30 shows in Thailand.
Exhibitions will be stamped Approved Events by TCEB if they pass the
evaluating criteria, set in line with those of UFI (the global association
of the exhibition industry).
UFI Asia/Pacific Chapter manager, Paul Woodward, said there was only one
UFI- approved event in Thailand now, but there seemed to be no questions
that more top-tier trade and consumer events would be certified.
Although exhibitions bearing Approved Events by TCEB would not automatically
be stamped as UFI Approved Events, Woodward said since TCEB would be
carrying out the auditing procedures using the same criteria as UFI’s, there
should be no problem. (TTG)
Government given 15 days
deadline to resolve taxi fare hike
A coalition of metropolitan Bangkok taxi drivers has given
the government 15 days to respond to their demand for minimum fare increase and
other welfare measures.
Groups of taxi drivers met last Sunday to decide their next move, following
meetings with government ministers and agencies concerned.
Withoon Naewpanij said the groups had decided to call off their original plan to
rally in front of the Transport Ministry this past Monday and to give the
government 15 days to come up with measures to address their plight.
Among key demands called by the taxi drivers was a demand that the authorities
raise the minimum fare of 35 baht for the first two kilometres, unchanged for
the last decade.
In addition, the drivers ask for the authorities to regulate public taxi
services in a more systematic manner, including provision of welfare benefits.
Withoon said the expectations are for the government and agencies concerned to
announce concrete measures for both the short term and the long term.
If their demands are not met, the groups plan to rally over 1,000 taxies to
protest at the Transport Ministry, downsize services by 30 per cent, slowing
speed to no more 40 kilometres per hour and keeping lights on during the day, he
said. (TNA)
French want to import
Thai prawns, rice, fruits & spices
A group of French businessmen will travel to Thailand on June 11 to
negotiate the possible importing of Thai prawns, rice, fruits and spices,
Thai Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan said last
Sunday.
Mingkwan was in Peru attending a trade ministers meeting of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping and said senior executives of France’s
Casino Group were planning to discuss buying Thai goods during their stay in
Thailand.
It would enable Thailand to export more goods to France, he said.
The Casino Group now operates over 10,000 stores around the world and has
gained the leading edge in the French food retail trade.
Besides the Casino Group, Mingkwan said he had also conferred with ranking
executives of Tangfrere Group who are also keen on importing Thai goods.
France could become a distribution centre for Thai goods in Europe because
of its preparedness in facilities, he said.
The Commerce Minister said he had discussed with United States Trade
Representative Susan C. Schwab on the sidelines of the APEC ministerial
meeting and explained to her about the real situation of Thai shrimp
industry, explaining that no child labourers were used in the business as
alleged by some private US business organisations.
Mrs. Schwab, according to Mr. Mingkwan, promised to take up the dismissal
for consideration.
Mingkwan said he hoped the shrimp industry would not be impacted because the
US is the largest importer of Thai shrimp. (TNA)
|
