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Moody’s Investors Service has affirmed the “Baa1” issuer and senior unsecured ratings of PTT Exploration and Production.

The rating actions take into account PTTEP’s revised five-year investment plan as well as Moody’s revision in oil-price forecasts.

The rating agency assumes that the price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, will average US$43 per barrel next year and $48 in 2017. This marks a $10-per-barrel reduction from its previous assumption for 2016 and a $12 reduction for 2017.

Sino-Thai meet today

The fourth Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation between Thailand and China will meet today to discuss cooperation in industrial development.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday that besides the Sino-Thai railway project, most of the Chinese companies participating in this meeting were interested in cluster development.

The Thai government plans to launch more relief measures for low-income earners.

“What the prime minister wants is whatever [is needed] to build up strength in the countryside. We will do it in the first quarter. We initially discussed with the prime minister that we wanted to do it,” he said.

event boost foreseen

Index Creative Village expects a big boost in event marketing next year after the sluggishness this year, which kept spending at Bt12.3 billion, unchanged from last year.

Kriengkrai Kanjanapokin, founder and co-CEO, said yesterday that the government’s economic stimulus measures would encourage businesses and organisations to kick off marketing events, aimed mainly to boost sales through discounts and give-aways.

He expects more big- and small-scale events next year, with clear target groups. Most will be designed to appeal to consumers who spend more time out of home.

While growing business at home, Index is prepared to continue expanding its exposure in Asean, chiefly in Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

PH airlines face profit

Philippine airlines will see challenging profit margins in the medium term given the recent surge in seat capacity, think-tank Capa Centre for Aviation said in a report.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines will see pressure on yields in the domestic business given the aggressive expansion that followed flat growth in 2013 and 2014, it said. PAL and AirAsia resumed domestic expansion this year. – The Philippine Daily Inquirer