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Govt agrees to raise sugar price
Those with a sweet tooth who prefer to put plenty of sugar in their coffee
might start having to think twice and become sugar-free, after the
government agreed to increase sugar price by 5 Baht per kilogram. The
government’s decision will likely have a grave effect on consumers and
sweetmeat sellers.
A sweetmeat vendor said “Obviously our production cost has risen. We have
less profit.”
Although the sugar price hike has caused trouble for sellers, it has great
benefit not only for sugarcane growers —who have suffered from low prices
for many years — but also the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural
Coopperatives or BAAC.
“As currently the BAAC has subsidised 24 billion baht to help with sugarcane
farming, each increased 5 Baht per kilogram of sugar sold will go to BAAC.
It is estimated it will take 5 years for BAAC to clear existing debts,” said
Akachai Ariyamongkonchai Deputy Secretary General Cane Planters Association
For Zone 7.
For sugarcane growers, the price rise is as high as 700 to 807 baht per ton.
Still, they cannot break even. One rai can grow a maximum of 12 tons of
cane, which means that the most income that can be gained per rai is 9,684
Baht. The growing cost is high, at 10,000 baht per rai, especially when
chemical products and other materials cost more due to the oil price hike.
Anchalee Chamnongkol, a sugarcane grower said, “It’s great that the
government has increased the sugar price but it can’t cover our growing
costs anyway.”
Raising the sugar price alone might not be enough if the government wants to
ensure sugarcane growers a better living in the long run. Plans to improve
sugarcane output and quality are still vital. (TNA)
FTI urges Thai govt
to help reduce cost of living
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has urged the
government to help lower the public’s cost of living, which has been battered by
soaring global oil prices and locally increased inflation.
FTI chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said the Thai economy is now confronted by
several negative factors including a sharp increase of New York crude to US$139
per barrel, Thai inflation in May which rose to 7.6 per cent and the recent
increases in deposit and lending interest rates of commercial banks.
Some businesses are now reluctant to ask for loans from commercial banks,
especially those focusing on goods manufactured for the Thai market, as
consumers have slowed their spending, Santi said.
“The outlook of the Thai economy towards the end of the second quarter until the
third quarter isn’t bright while economic growth this year isn’t expected to
reach the projected 6 per cent. Growth is expected to be about 5 per cent only,”
he said.
Santi proposed that the government should introduce measures to help lower
expenses for the people, such as distribution of food coupons for certain
groups, as is done in some other countries, and holding fairs to sell goods
inexpensively. (TNA)
Govt’s incentives insufficient for E85 cars made in Thailand
Fourteen car manufacturers in Thailand have delivered their assessment that
the Thai government’s measures and incentives are still not attractive
enough to induce manufacturers to produce E85 vehicles in the Kingdom, said
Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti last week.
Suwit said his ministry would ask the manufacturers what added measures they
wanted in a bid to enable the country to become a hub for alternative
energies for automobiles. The government is going all out to encourage more
motorists to switch to using E85, a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per
cent gasoline.
Last Tuesday, the cabinet gave a green light to exempt import tariffs on E85
car parts as well as lowering excise taxes for E85-powered cars.
According to Suwit, the manufacturers also said they would continue to
concentrate on manufacturing eco-cars, but that the government plan to
promote manufacturing E85-powered cars would not affect their businesses.
Currently, six eco-car projects have received Board of Investment’s
privileges. Combined production is estimated at 800,000 units in the next
six to seven years which would make Thailand an important production base
for energy-saving cars.
Suwit said his ministry would soon meet again with all 14 producers to lay
out a long-term automotive industry pilot plan, designed to make Thailand a
significant passenger car production hub, apart from being a one-tonne
pickup truck hub. (TNA)
Government to develop
integrated logistics system
The Thai government is determined to develop a comprehensive
logistics system in preparation for trade liberalisation, according to Finance
and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.
Delivering a keynote speech on “Thailand’s Logistics Policy and Trade
Liberalisation,” he said he was worried about the development of the country’s
basic infrastructure. Thailand is currently ranked 48th among 55 countries for
the basic infrastructure development as it has not yet been able to create an
integrated system of logistics.
Up to 86 per cent of the country’s cargo transfers rely on land transport, with
only 2 per cent distributed by the rail system.
At present, Thailand’s transport cost is as high as Bt1.2 trillion, and oil
consumption for transport reaches Bt800 billion or 10 per cent of the gross
domestic product (GDP).
However, Surapong said the government is attempting to forge ahead with
development of a large-scale transport system. In particular, it has developed
transport routes linking with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
Dr. Surapong said the government would also count on information and
communication technology to develop a rail system that links land, seaborne and
airborne transports. (TNA)
Lee Marine attends prestigious boat show for sixth consecutive year
The 6th Ferretti Yacht’s
“Privilege Days” boat show was held
in Cattolica, Italy from April 19-20.
One of Thailand’s leading yacht sales and service companies
has once again proven their commitment to providing the best for its customers.
Lee Marine’s Managing Director, Joshua Lee, recently attended Ferretti Yacht’s
“Privilege Days”, an exclusive boat show dedicated to the company’s luxury yacht
owners. This was the event’s sixth year, held April 19 and 20 in Cattolica,
Italy. It was also the sixth year Lee attended the prestigious boat show to
familiarize himself with new models and meet with Ferretti representatives.
“It’s a big effort for us to go, but Ferretti yachts are our family, so it’s a
pleasure to go,” said Lee.
During Privilege Days, distributors from 30 different countries bring their best
clients to view the impressive fleet of Ferretti yachts. This year the entire
range floated on the waters of the Marina Nuova in Cattolica. Since the event is
by invitation only, it’s a chance for customers to get some quality time with
the boats. They also have access to a wide array of other services including
private inspectors, interior technicians, and engineers.
Lee says this is what makes Privilege Days different from other shows of its
kind.
“In boat shows, it’s hard to get someone’s time. I’ll have more customers to
deal with,” says Lee. “Privilege days you have the privilege as a client to have
unobstructed time and attention from everybody.”
The entire event was designed to reflect the lifestyle of “Being Ferretti.” For
example, more than 700 guests attended the Privilege Days exquisite black and
white dinner party. It was decorated to recreate the atmosphere at the famous
party held by Truman Capote at New York’s Plaza Hotel in 1966. The Italian
celebration was held at the Horses Riviera Resort.
The show’s 2008 location of Cattolica was significant as it is located at the
production site of the most prestigious models of the Ferretti Yachts. The 2008
Privilege Days held special meaning also because this year marks the 40th
anniversary for Ferretti Yachts.
The Ferretti story began in 1968 in Italy, when brothers Alessandro and Norberto
Ferretti established their naval yard. Today, they are the leader in marine
luxury. The company is internationally renowned with dealers from 77countries
all over Europe, USA, the Middle East and Asia.
About Lee Marine
Lee Marine is a leading international yacht dealership and brokerage
based in Phuket and Pattaya, Thailand. The company represents Riviera, Ferretti,
Pershing, Jeanneau and Crownline for new yacht sales and service. Lee Marine’s
international brokerage arm has the largest selection of second-hand yachts for
sale in Asia. Founded in 1997, the company has six experienced brokers in four
sales offices. For further information check out the company’s web site at
www.leemarine.com.
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