Briefs

Laos needs to put in place concrete measures to accommodate stronger inflationary pressure from rising food prices in neighbouring Thailand, a senior economist said yesterday.
“Thai inflation has been one of the main driving forces of Laotian inflation because we import food from the neighbouring country,” said Liber Libuapao, director-general of the Laotian National Economic Research Institute.
Liber said more than half of imported goods in Laos came from Thailand.
The institute carried out a survey that found the inflation rate in Laos had risen higher than in Thailand because importers had to pay import duty and transport costs. They also expected to make a bigger profit, having invested more in the goods they purchased. – Vientiane Times/ANN

Ministry orders rise in gas production
The Energy Ministry has ordered the Minerals Fuel Department to boost production of natural gas in Thailand and ordered PTT to prepare enough diesel fuel and bunker oil for when the Yetakun gas field in Burma temporarily stops supplying Thailand from April 8-17.
Gas-fired power plants in the west of Thailand will have to turn to diesel and bunker oil to generate power. – The Nation

British company execs visit next week
Senior executives from 18 companies in Britain’s northwest and northeast will be in Bangkok from March 26-30 to strengthen trade links and explore business opportunities, including joint ventures and technology agreements with Thai firms.
The delegation includes companies from the education and skills, engineering, business services, agricultural, automobile and medical industries. The visit is being assisted by the trade and investment team at the British Embassy in Bangkok.
Thai-UK trade is valued at just under