Briefs

The Foreign Trade Department will soon open a clinic to give advice for enterprises preparing themselves for the seamless market under the Asean Economic Community.
Deputy director-general Tikhumporn Natvaratat said the clinic would be developed from the department’s 1385 hotline, which is for answering questions about the Asean Free Trade Agreement.
He said the new clinic would ensure that Thai enterprises are ready for the market liberalisation under the AEC, which will come into effect by 2015.
“Only two years and a few months are left for Thai enterprises to explore the opportunities in other Asean markets, so that Thai traders and investors will be able to reap the highest benefit from AEC,” he added.

SCB notes
rated ‘BBB+’
Fitch Ratings has assigned Siam Commercial Bank’s upcoming issue of senior notes a “BBB+” rating.
The proposed notes, to be issued by SCB’s Hong Kong branch, will be consolidated with the outstanding US$600 million (Bt18.65 billion) senior notes, also issued through that branch last March under the bank’s $2.5-billion medium-term note (MTN) programme, to form a single series maturing in 2017.
The rating of senior notes is at the same level as SCB’s long-term foreign-currency-issuer default rating of “BBB+”. The ratings are underpinned by the bank’s sound capital and profitability, strengthened asset quality and reserves and its strong domestic franchise, Fitch said.

Sugar millers eye higher output
The country’s sugar millers have set a goal to boost sugar-cane output to 150 million tonnes within three years, banking on an integrated approach that covers breeding, irrigation, machinery and harvesting.
Cherdpong Siriwit, chairman of the 3 Thai Sugar Mills Association, said the target was reached at its annual conference attended by 47 millers. All saw the need to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness ahead of the activation of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.
“Aside from the best breeds, we discussed machinery upgrades and irrigation. If all areas are covered, within three years, the output will be raised to 150 million tonnes,” he said.
Sugar production in Thailand, the second-largest exporter, may reach a record for a third year in the season from November as millers expand capacity to meet rising regional demand, according to an industry group. Harvest may total 103 million to 105 million tonnes this year. –