Briefs

Mexican and Brazilian candidates are hoping to win the candidacy for the next World Trade Organisation (WTO) director-general. The final decision on the winner will be announced on Wednesday. 

Piramol Charoenpao, director-general to the Trade Negotiations Department, said that representatives from developing countries should win the WTO seat. This would ensure that concerns from developing countries received greater support, he said. 

WTO negotiations on the Doha Development Round are also expected to resume after they were suspended for a number of years. – The Nation 

 

Crackdown planned on property rights abusers 

The Intellectual Property Department will stringently suppress violations on the Internet of intellectual property rights abusers. The plan is part of the department’s strategy to reduce the huge number of property rights infringements appearing in cyberspace. 

Pajchima Tanasanti, director-general to the department, said the planned action would be proposed to the National Intellectual Property Committee shortly. It includes working with private enterprises in suppressing IP violations and includes issuing a warning to Internet users about using websites with IP addresses in violation of regulations. So far, about 40 websites have been closely monitored for IP infringement by the department. – The Nation

 

TRIS awards top rating to Ticon 

TRIS Rating has assigned a rating of “A” for the proposed Bt2 billion sale in senior debentures of Ticon Industrial Connection Plc (Ticon). TRIS Rating has also affirmed the company with a “stable” outlook rating. 

The ratings reflect the company’s proven record of producing Ready Built Factories (RBF) and warehouses – and the income it receives from rental contracts. 

The “stable” outlook reflects the expectation that Ticon will be able to maintain its leadership position in the niche RBF market. 

A recovery in Thailand’s industry sectors is also expected to lead to an increase in the demand for new factory and warehouse space.

 

TRIS affirms Singer rating at ‘BBB’

TRIS Rating has affirmed the company and senior debenture ratings of Singer Thailand Plc (Singer) at “BBB” with a “stable” outlook. 

The ratings reflect the company’s strong brand-name recognition in electrical home appliances among its target customers, its nationwide branches and sales networks. In addition the company has a proven track record in financing electrical home appliance purchases; a diverse customer base; an experienced management team; and well-trained sales staff – familiar with the target customers. 

However, these strengths are offset by the vulnerable credit profiles of its target customers. 

The “stable” outlook reflects TRIS Rating’s expectation that Singer’s management team will be able to steadily implement its marketing strategies and launch new products to solidify the company’s market share as planned. It is expected that the company’s overall business and financial performance will improve steadily, and loan quality will be maintained at an acceptable level.

 

IIAC starting salary the highest in Korea

It was recently revealed that Incheon International Airport Corp (IIAC) pays the highest starting salary among public corporations in South Korea.

The average annual salary for new employees at the 30 top public corporations last year was 39.18 million won (Bt825,221), up 10.2 per cent from the previous year, according to local employment portal Saramin.

The data was based on Alio (All Public Information In One), a public management information system run by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.

IIAC was followed by Ulsan Port Authority; Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority; Korea Racing Authority; Korea Housing Guarantee Corp; Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corp; Korea Airports Corp; and Korea Broadcast Advertising Corp.

When it comes to the average salary of all employees, Kobaco was No. 1 with 87.76 million won, followed by IIAC, which scored 85.83 million won. – Bae Hyun-jung, The Korea Herald