briefs

 

Export growth could be as high as 9 per cent next year, after expected 5-per-cent growth in 2012, the Commerce Ministry says.

The ministry will discuss its revised export-growth figures with selected members of the private sector on Tuesday. 

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said 2013 export targets would be announced next week. Extrapolating from the current economic climate, exports next year will grow more than the 5 per cent expected for this year, and could be closer to 9 per cent. 

The ministry has closely considered the possible effects of the higher minimum wage and the world economic situation in making its forecasts, he said.

Srirat Rathapana, director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department, said total exports for 2012 should be about US$228 billion (Bt7 trillion). Risk factors that could affect exports next year are mainly over concerns about the strength and direction of the US and European economies. 

 

Call for focus on Japan investment 

The Industry Ministry  targets the value of projects submitted by Japanese investors for Board of Investment privileges to reach about Bt310 billion next year.

Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk said after meeting with Takakazu Ishii, governor of Toyama prefecture, that the Japanese were the biggest investors in Thailand and interested in investing in the country continuously. 

The ministry has ordered the BOI to facilitate investment by Japanese companies of all sizes. Toyama’s main industry is manufacture of auto parts, and it wants to expand its investment to Thailand. The prefectural authorities have urged the Thai government to facilitate imports of their machinery and raw materials, especially in the early period of setting up plants in the Kingdom. 

 

AirAsia buying 100 more A320s

AirAsia has purchased another 100 Airbus A320 aircraft, in a bid to strengthen its position as the largest low-cost carrier in the Asia market. 

The acquisition of these new planes is aimed at speeding AirAsia’s growth in its major markets of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, and also in new markets such as Japan and the Philippines. Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia, said his operation would get 20-30 aircraft from this purchase. 

Tony Fernandes, group chief executive of AirAsia, said a bigger fleet for the Thai operation would help it play a significant role in international markets, especially in China and India, into which the company has been expanding.