If you have trouble viewing this in email, please 19 August 2019 Upcoming GTCC Events Register now for our upcoming events: 23.08.2019 [Fully booked] GTCC Members Exclusive Site Visit to Ducati Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 23.08.2019 23.08.2019 29.08.2019 30.08.2019 06.09.2019  12.09.2019 13.09.2019 19.09.2019 25.10.2019 [Fully booked] GTCC Oktoberfest 2019 26.10.2019 Economy Growth in Q2 slowest in 19 quarters at 2.3 per cent Economic growth sharply slowed in the second quarter to 2.3 per cent due to both external and domestic factors. Gross domestic product in the second quarter expanded by 2.3 per cent, a drop from the 2.8-per-cent growth rate in the first quarter, according to the economic report released by National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). (The Nation, 19/08/2019) Country faces shortage of high- and mid-level labour Recruitment consultancy Robert Walters Thailand says the nation's high- and mid-level workforce is insufficient, particularly in the 12 targeted industries of the flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). (Bangkok Post, 16/08/2019) Cabinet approves B3.2tn for fiscal 2020 budget The cabinet on Tuesday endorsed a fiscal 2020 budget of 3.2 trillion baht, up 6.7% or 200 billion baht from fiscal 2019, which ends Sept 30. (Bangkok Post, 06/08/2019) Companies & Industrial Sectors Third phase of Laem Chabang uncertain National oil and gas firm PTT plans to sign an agreement with the government to develop two seaports by December, but another project -- the third-phase expansion of Laem Chabang port -- has yet to be concluded on the state's end. (Bangkok Post, 17/08/2019) Brands warned of fickle Thai buyers Consumers in Thailand and around the world are becoming more disloyal to their favourite brands, with only 8% of people globally identifying as loyal to a specific brand of product, according to a study conducted by Nielsen. (Bangkok Post, 16/08/2019) Digital content to reach B33bn The value of the digital content industry in Thailand this year is expected to reach 33 billion baht, up 10% from 2018 thanks to rising demand for animation and games in the global market as well as business development and promotion by the private sector and state, says the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP). (Bangkok Post, 15/08/2019) CP chief discusses automation Adopting sophisticated technologies to drive operations is high on Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group's agenda, as one of Thailand's largest conglomerates works to enlarge its footprint during the fourth industrial revolution. (Bangkok Post, 13/08/2019) Ailing Thai Airways moves to cut costs, increase revenue Thai Airways International has announced steps to cut expenditure and increase revenue, in a bid to tackle its accumulated debt of 100 billion baht. (Bangkok Post, 13/08/2019) Positive outlook ahead for entertainment and media Thai entertainment and media (E & amp;M) revenues are set to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.05 per cent over the next five years, from Bt502.8 billion (US$15.3 billion) in 2018 to Bt643.2 billion in 2023, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment & amp; Media Outlook 2019-2023. (The Nation, 19/08/2019) Thailand and ASEAN Thai Life makes Myanmar play to gain an edge Thai Life Insurance has struck a deal to take a 35% stake in Citizen Business (CB) Insurance, becoming the first Asean outsider to enter Myanmar’s insurance field. (Bangkok Post, 17/08/2019) Bangchak launches startup investment firm in Singapore Bangchak Venture Pte Ltd has registered capital of US$100,000 (Bt3.07 million). The new company will invest in startups related to business innovation, in order to support its business expansion in innovative businesses, the company said. (The Nation, 06/08/2019) Prayut marks Asean milestone Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expects Asean to "maintain its distinct identity, based on mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual respect" over the next two decades. (Bangkok Post, 09/08/2019) Green Technology US invests in Thai solar energy project The United States has funded a Thai energy developer for its feasibility study of a solar power project in Thailand as part of its Indo-Pacific commitment. (Bangkok Post, 15/08/2019) Bilateral Business Ending blackouts on the border Due to their geographical isolation, two border patrol police schools in Prachuap Khiri Khan have been struggling to distribute food rations to their students, many of whom are members of the province's ethnic minorities. In a bid to help improve their living conditions, the German Embassy in Thailand -- through its Micro Project Scheme -- has delivered solar-powered refrigerators to schools in frontier zones. (Bangkok Post, 12/08/2019) Legal / HR / CSR / Education Finance Ministry plans rejig of fuel excise tax The Finance Ministry wants to revamp the structure of the excise tax on fuels to base it on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect the environment. (Bangkok Post, 19/08/2019) Tax perk aims to help SMEs join digital wave The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) plans to offer a 200% tax deduction for the purchase of smart devices, digital services, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) devices by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in addition to software, starting next year. (Bangkok Post, 13/08/2019) Govt urged against easing labour rules Human rights advocates are urging the government to keep up its efforts to tackle human trafficking and exploitation following its successes in improving Thailand's international standing on the issue. (Bangkok Post, 19/08/2019) Member News SSI Schaefer receives “Bosch Global Supplier Award 2019” Every two years, Bosch honors the best of their suppliers from around the world with the “Bosch Global Supplier Award”. This year, SSI Schaefer received the award in the category "Purchasing of indirect materials", in the field of plastic injection moulding containers. ARBURG Thailand's Digitalisation Seminar, 9-10 Sept 2019 ARBURG Thailand will organise a seminar entitled “Road to Digitalisation” on 19-20 September 2019 in the new showroom of ARBURG Thailand. Participants will find a way into sustainable, efficient plastic parts production with smart machines, smart production and smart services. Thai Union Group 2Q Gross Profit Up 13.1% Thai Union Public PCL (Thai Union) reported a 13.1 percent increase in gross profit in the second quarter of the year, with stronger performances from the frozen seafood and PetCare and value-added product businesses. Economic Factsheet UPDATE Magazine Featured: Pharma market in Thailand: Rising demand, but tougher competition; Pharmaceuticals: Working towards a healthier future; Interview: Bayer Thai Co., Ltd. and Polipharm Co., Ltd.; GTCC Gala Night 2019 "fairy Tales" // Business Brief // Chamber Activities // GTDEE Insights // Trade Fairs // Members' Corner Preferred Benefits Exclusive offers: 15% dining discount on food and beverages at Seasonal Tastes and Kisso Japanese Restaurant. Validity period: Now – 31 December 2019 Trade Fairs Visit the world of metalworking at EMO Hannover 16 - 21 September 2019 at Hannover, Germany Get your complimentary visitor ticket from GTCC, please contact Exhibit with us! German Pavilion by GTCC in CEBIT ASEAN 27-29 November 2019 Hall 7-8 IMPACT Exhibition Center Bangkok, Thailand Register your visitor ticket today by clicking Media Partners for EMO Hannover 2019 German exhibitions 2018: More exhibitors from all continents Last year more exhibitors from all over the world came to exhibitions in Germany. All told, there were around 118,000 foreign exhibitors at the 178 international and national exhibitions, 4.4% more than at the respective previous events. First German Nepal Business Forum German Embassy in Kathmandu invites you to the First German Nepal Business Forum on 2 October 2019 in Kathmandu in the presence of high government officials, businessmen and major company representatives from both countries. As a Follow-up to the Nepal Investment Summit in March 2019, this Forum will allow German firms to explore the Nepali market and benefit from recent dynamics. Doing business in Thailand Marzars launches "" guide. Mazars in Thailand is a leading audit, accounting, tax, legal and advisory practice, combining the benefits of an integrated global partnership with the entrepreneurial drive of its senior advisors. Contact Person Chadaphan Maliphan Publication and Communication Manager Tel: +66 2 055 0623 Email: GTCC Privacy Policy In compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), please be informed that your personal data (name and contact details) is being stored and used by us to send you our newsletter, invitations to our events and invitations to participate in surveys. We confirm that we will not share your personal data with any other organisation and that you can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us by email & lt; & gt;. For more information please see our website for our .