briefs

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry has delayed the signing of a contract to purchase Chinese tablet computers from Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development for Prathom 1 students again, which had been set for today, following its plan to ask for Cabinet approval to increase the number of tablets to 1 million from the previously approved 900,000 units. 

Earlier, the ministry and the Chinese supplier were expected to sign the deal on April 5 to procure 900,000 tablets before postponing it to today, after Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development’s failure to produce a guarantee from the Bank of China on April 5.

 

Confidence rising  

Business confidence in March continued to rise, soaring 20 points to 129 since September, according to the global Regus Business Confidence Index. 

In a statement released yesterday, the global business workspace provider said its survey showed that 61 per cent of companies reported revenue growth, compared with 41 per cent six months ago. Companies reporting profit growth (52 per cent) also increased 15 per cent. 

Filippo Sarti, CEO of Regus Asia-Pacific, said recently that the proportion of Thai companies reporting revenue and profit growth has increased since September.

“However, in order to grasp growth opportunities in a sustainable way, businesses globally are still looking to cut overheads without damaging their growth prospects.” 

 

Banks ready cash 

Seven commercial banks have reserved Bt152 billion in cash for withdrawals during the Songkran festival from April 13-16. 

Bangkok Bank led the group with Bt40 billion for its 7,000 ATMs nationwide. In its statement, the bank said that in popular areas, regular refills are promised. Customers can also use the services of over 300 micro branches nationwide. 

Krungthai Bank reserved Bt36.4 billion, Siam Commercial Bank Bt27 billion, Kasikornbank Bt29 billion, Bank of Ayudhya Bt12.95 billion, TMB Bank Bt9 billion and CIMB Thai Bank Bt1.2 billion. CIMB said the amount, close to last year’s level, is for withdrawals from April 3 as withdrawals normally take place before and after long holidays. 

 

TAT bullish on fair 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is optimistic about Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2012. Set to take place from June 6-8, the country’s largest business-to-business travel fair has received confirmations from over 484 buyers from 61 countries, which is the highest since 2008. 

This is also an 11-per-cent increase in the number of countries that will be part of the trade event. 

So far, 403 sellers have registered for booths, TAT said in a statement. 

 

TOT plans Wi-Fi network for schools

TOT has proposed to the Information and Communica-tions Technology Ministry a plan for a Wi-Fi network with about 40,000 hot spots covering 30,000 schools nationwide to serve the government’s One Tablet Per Child project.

TOT acting president Montchai Noosong said the state agency could start setting up the network soon, but needed to talk with the ministry about funding sources for the project. 

 

Show nets Bt1 bn leather orders 

Thai Footwear Association members received purchase orders for leather products worth about Bt1 billion at the recent Malaysia International Shoes Festival, said TFA president Chanin Jitkomut.

TFA and its more than 200 members, together with the Department of International Trade Promotion, took part in the fair. 

 

New marketing boss at Onyx

Thailand-based hotel-management company Onyx Hospitality Group has appointed Harris Kurdthip as director of marketing communications. 

A Thai national, he has worked with Onyx Hospitality as director of public relations for more than two years.

Before joining Onyx, he worked in key positions at many top hotel-management companies.

Harris will be responsible for marketing and public relations for Onyx, its brands and its properties, including overall management of two key corporate teams – group marketing services and Thailand communications – at Onyx headquarters in Bangkok.