Briefs

Toyota Motor Corp (TMC) has announced the promotion of Kyoichi Tanada, president of Toyota Motor Thailand, who will also become president of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific and Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering & Manufacturing.
With his added responsibilities, which take effect on April 1, Tanada will look after Toyota’s operations in Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and the Middle East. The consolidation is to enable proactive decisions based on realities on the ground.
Tanada also supervises the carmaker’s operations in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and Pakistan. The company said that thanks to his experience and vision in international management, he was able to lead Toyota Motor Thailand to the No 1 Position in this country’s automotive industry. Consequently, TMC had broadened his roles.

TAX AMNESTY PLANNED FOR SMEs, SAYS SOMMAI
Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said yesterday that his ministry planned to provide a tax amnesty to small and medium-sized enterprises, which would encourage them to enter the tax system legally. He expects the amnesty will result in some 80 per cent of the 2.75 million SMEs entering the system.
The Finance Ministry has already launched six measures to support SMEs and ensure that their businesses grow sustainably.
Sommai and Information and Communications Technology Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa yesterday signed a cooperation contract with Thai Credit Guarantee Corp and the National Science and Technology Development Agency to help strengthen the capability of SMEs in the field of technology and innovation, to promote added value and their access to financial sources.

OCEAN COMMERCE PLANS JV FOR POWER PROJECT
Ocean Commerce plans to form a joint venture with a potential partner by the middle of the year to invest in the 100-megawatt incineration power-plant project.
Managing director Uchai Vilailerstpoca yesterday said the company was currently studying which investment pattern provided the maximum benefit and return to its shareholders. Ocean Commerce is an importer, assembler and manufacturer of faucets, water-supply products and sanitaryware.