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GTCC e-UPDATE: 4 February 2019
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Economy
Thai e-Commerce grew to Bt3.2- tr last year: ETDA
Thai e-Commerce grew the most in Asean last year, due to changes in consumer behaviour, and its value is expected to hit Bt3.2 trillion, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) said in a press release on Saturday. (Bangkok Post, 02/02/2019) More

Economy grew steadily in December, says central bank
The economy grew steadily in December on private consumption and tourism with arrivals rising 7.7% over the same period in 2017, according to the Bank of Thailand. (Bangkok Post, 31/01/2019) More

Salaries hike 5.5% in 2019 
Employees in Thailand will enjoy salary increases averaging 5.5% in 2019, the same as the previous year, according to a forecast by Korn Ferry. (Bangkok Post, 30/01/2019) More

Airing their grievances
In addition to health risks, Bangkok's dust pollution is incurring large economic losses. (Bangkok Post, 28/01/2019) More

BoT: Baht climbs as greenback slips 
The baht's rising value is a result of the US dollar depreciation, stemming from domestic political developments in the world's largest economy, says the Bank of Thailand. (Bangkok Post, 24/01/2019) More
 
 
 
Companies & Industrial Sectors
Central Group, Grab seek to expand reach with alliance 
The 6-billion-baht investment by Central Group in Grab Thailand is aimed at fulfilling the diversification of Grab into retail financial services and boosting revenue opportunities in on-demand food delivery and transport via disruptive technology. (Bangkok Post, 01/02/2019) More 

Mitsubishi says Euro 5 and 6 compliance comes at a cost 
Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has declared its readiness to upgrade all locally made vehicles sold in Thailand to meet Euro 5 and 6 emission standards, but the Japanese car maker says price tags will reflect increased production costs. (Bangkok Post, 01/02/2019) More

MG plans to repeat 2018 sales success 
MG Sales Thailand is confident it can double local purchases of MG cars to 50,000 this year. The company set the aggressive target after posting record high sales of 23,740 Thai-made vehicles in 2018, a sharp increase of 97.6% from a year before. (Bangkok Post, 30/01/2019) More

Scania drives from Thai base
Scania, a Swedish manufacturer of commercial vehicles – specifically, heavy trucks and buses –has identified Thailand as one of its key markets in Southeast Asia with the opening of its first assembly plant in Samut Prakan province. (The Nation, 30/01/2019) More

Ministry steps up use of B20 
The Energy Ministry is speeding up enforcement of biodiesel B20 use amid a broader effort to reduce diesel emissions in the country. (Bangkok Post, 24/01/2019) More

Bridgestone sanguine on sales
Thai Bridgestone is upbeat on sales revenue in Thailand, aiming for 5.4% growth in 2019, as the country's car output and replacement market are both likely to see upward movement. (Bangkok Post, 22/01/2019) More
 
Thailand and ASEAN
Thailand’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019
As Thailand assumes the Chair of ASEAN for 2019, we cannot help but look back with pride at the accomplishments of this remarkable and resilient regional grouping ever since its founding in Bangkok over five decades ago. At the same time, it is incumbent upon us to chart the way forward for ASEAN over the immediate future and into the next half century. Towards this end, Thailand has identified some of our key priorities for ASEAN during the year ahead. More

Thailand faces tough job as ASEAN chair amid trade conflicts, forum hears
As ASEAN chair this year, Thailand must enhance the region’s cooperation amid growing US-China tensions that threaten to go beyond mere trade conflicts, international-relations experts said at a peace forum in Bangkok yesterday. (The Nation, 01/02/2019) More

Thailand emerges as Japan's largest steel products importer
Thailand emerged as the top importer of Japanese steel products for the first time in 2018, as major Japanese auto, home appliance and machinery makers have moved into Southeast Asia's biggest production hub. (Bangkok Post, 31/01/2019) More

Thailand to push RCEP deal this year
Thailand, as ASEAN chair, will push for conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations by the year-end in order to counterbalance the negative impacts of the US-China trade war. (The Nation, 29/01/2019) More

4IR outpost set for Asean networking 
The Digital Economy and Society (DE) Ministry plans to set up a Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) affiliate in the country this year to strengthen collaboration on digital economy development with the 4IR Centre in Silicon Valley. (Bangkok Post, 28/01/2019) More
 
Green Technology
Energy Ministry pushes B20 for larger vehicles 
The Energy Ministry is working feverishly to enforce biodiesel B20 use among buses and trucks in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, hoping to reduce particles and emissions by 10-15% per vehicle. (Bangkok Post, 01/02/2019) More

Egat to float solar panels at dams 
The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will start installation of floating solar panels in April at five hydropower plants in five provinces. (Bangkok Post, 30/01/2019) More

Private renewable project licences being prepared 
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is prepared to grant new licences for solar and waste-to-energy power projects to private investors by mid-2019 after receiving approval from the National Energy Policy Council last Thursday. (Bangkok Post, 30/01/2019) More

EA poised for strides in EV batteries, cars 
SET-listed Energy Absolute Plc (EA) is ready to implement three electric vehicle (EV) projects after the Board of Investment (BoI) has granted incentives. (The Bangkok Post, 29/01/2019) More

BCPG sets massive wind power goal 
BCPG Plc, the power business arm of Bangchak Corporation Plc, wants to add 1,000 megawatts through wind power projects in Asia-Pacific during 2019-23. (Bangkok Post, 25/01/2019) More

Toyota sends EV plans to BoI 
Toyota Motor Thailand has submitted its investment plan for the government's electric vehicle (EV) scheme to localise manufacturing of new eco-friendlier vehicles here. (Bangkok Post, 23/01/2019) More
 
Bilateral Business
More than green: German standard promotes sustainable buildings 
The introduction of the American LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification system in Thailand has made green building popular with the developers of luxurious high-rises in downtown Bangkok. (Bangkok Post, 02/02/2019) More

E-commerce Project smooths shift from Online whole sale to retail
Thaitrade.com, operated by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, in cooperation with Amazon Global Selling (Thailand), DHL Express International (Thailand) Limited and International College of Rangsit University, recently launched the "Thaitrade.com's Young e-Entrepreneurs" project. (The Nation, 30/01/2019) More
 
Legal / HR / CSR
Employers beware: The Labour Protection Act gets serious 
Thailand's labour laws have long been known for the strength of protections afforded to employees. Continuing this trend, a slew of new amendments to the Labour Protection Act (LPA), passed on December 13,2018, will further enhance worker protection, improve working conditions, and impose sanctions on employers who fail to uphold them. (04/02/2019) More

New business tax regime now in force
A NEW tax measure for the international business centre (IBC) has now come into force. (The Nation, 31/01/2019) More

Ministry bans steel plant expansion
Steel plant expansion and construction of steel bar plants will be banned for the next five years in Thailand to reduce the domestic surplus, according to an Industry Ministry draft regulation the cabinet approved on Tuesday. (Bangkok Post, 31/01/2019) More

E-tax bill on foreign firms unlikely to pass 
The Revenue Department expects a draft bill on e-business tax, a levy on foreign-based online platform operators earning income in Thailand, will not be vetted by lawmakers before the Prayut Chan-o-cha government leaves office. (The Bangkok Post, 29/01/2019) More

Local Microsoft unit highlights need for AI laws 
Microsoft Thailand, the local operating unit of the global technology firm, is urging policymakers and regulators to get ready for the dark side of artificial intelligence by endorsing guidelines and principles to protect users and ensure that AI is trustworthy. (Bangkok Post, 28/01/2019) More

Auto title loan firms face new rules 
The Bank of Thailand expects the amended regulations governing auto title loans, including a cap on interest rates and practical guidelines for operators, to take effect next month. (Bangkok Post, 26/01/2019) More
 
Member News
Boehringer Ingelheim Thailand certified as Top Employer 2019
Boehringer Ingelheim (Thai) Ltd. has been certified as Top Employer 2019 by the Top Employers Institute. The award was presented in December 2018 in Singapore where also Boehringer Ingelheim’s country organizations in Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia have been awarded this recognition.More

Hafele allots B700m for warehouse and IT 
Hafele Thailand Ltd, the local unit of the German furniture fittings maker, will invest 700 million baht in 2019 to build a new warehouse on Bang Na-Trat Road, renovate its showroom and upgrade the IT system to improve working processes. (Bangkok Post, 26/01/2019) More
 
Economic Factsheet
UPDATE Magazine
Featured: Thailand promoting robots and automation for industry; Interview: Martin Wenzel, KUKA Robotics (Thailand/ASEAN); Preparing for industrial robots: The vital role of the education sector; Robotics market in Thailand; GTCC Oktoberfest 2018; and GTCC Family Christmas Party 2018 // Business Brief // Chamber Activities // GTDEE Insights // Trade Fairs // Members' Corner
Preferred Benefits
Samitivej offers up to 50% discount on Health Checkup Programs
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Trade Fairs
GTCC HANNOVER MESSE Delegation Trip
Date: 30 March - 7 April 2019

Secure your seat pls contact us, tel: 02 055 0600
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Adhesives - Sealants - Construction Chemicals
 
Date: 19-21 March 2019
Location: Exhibition Centre Nuremberg

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Business festival for innovation and digital technology
 
Date: 25-27 June 2019
Location: Skolkovo Technopark

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Exhibitions score points with networking and experiences
AUMA surveyed exhibiting companies about the advantages of trade fairs over digital instruments
German exhibiting companies consider trade fairs to offer considerable advantages over digital instruments – like social media and virtual marketplaces – for their B2B communications. This is one result of a study commissioned by AUMA and carried out by KANTAR TNS. More
 
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Chadaphan Maliphan

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Tel: +66 2 055 0623 
 
 
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