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The Commerce Ministry is set to open bidding for almost one million tonnes of rice on January 29 under the government’s plan to release up to 10 million tonnes from its stocks this year.

It will be the fifth auction under the military government and the first this year. Up for sale will be 850,000 tonnes of 5-per-cent white rice and 150,000 tonnes of Hom Mali rice.

Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said yesterday that unlike in the past, the government will release rice from a whole warehouse so that it can clear out inventory quickly.

Previously, the government had allowed traders to select their preferred piles in each granary.

Realty fund closes

Singapore-based SC Capital Partners has closed its fourth real estate private equity fund, Real Estate Capital Asia Partners IV LP, with US$850 million of total equity commitments.

“We believed that RECAP IV is well positioned to take advantage of the investment opportunity in this diverging world environment,” chairman Suchad Chiaranussati said yesterday.

TPCH adjusts plan

TPCH Power Holding Plc plans to added 150-megawatt production capacity, which is two years faster than the original plan.

The biomass power plant in Satun-Phattalung has obtained a factory permit and construction has begun.

Revenue should be realised next year, managing director Cherdsak Wattanavijitkul said yesterday.

Moody’s on aviation

Moody’s Investors Service has changed its global airline industry outlook from stable to positive as the sharp drop in fuel costs is expected to bolster its financial performance.

Moody’s projections adjusted the operating profit margins for the industry to 12-14 per cent in 2015 and 11.5-13.5 per cent in 2016, significantly above its estimate of 8.5-9.5 per cent for 2014.

greenlight to imports

Amnuay Patise, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed yesterday after the Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet had agreed to import about 50,000 tonnes of palm oil by February to avert a shortage of the product in the country. The imports would allow the government to have about 200,000 tonnes in total stock. However, the imports will be under the responsibility of Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) whiich will also be in charge of distributions to the private sector. Despite the imports, the government will guarantee the palm price to local farmers at not less than Bt5 per kilogramme.