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Thai seafood-product exporters are confident that the European Union’s evaluation of Thailand’s IUU status will not deteriorate from the Tier 3 classification, as the country has shown strong commitment and effort in tackling the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Thai Frozen Foods Association honorary adviser Paiboon Ponsuwanna said yesterday.
During the past six months following the last EU ‘yellow card’ rating on Thailand, the country has responded to the problem of unregistered fishing vessels and undocumented workers as required by the EU, he said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will brief US-Asean Summit leaders in California next week about Thailand’s positive development and progress in tackling the problem of IUU, he added.
The association has set an export growth target of 1-2 per cent over last year’s level, of which 30 per cent will be frozen shrimp.
 
SAHA IN CARBON-FIBRE JV WITH JAPAN’S TORAY
Saha Pathanapibul Group has tied up with Japan’s largest synthetic-fibre producer, Toray Group, to launch a joint venture – Carbon Magic (Thailand) – for the production of carbon fibre in Thailand.
The group’s honorary chairman, Boonsithi Chokwatana, said there was growth opportunity for industries which use carbon fibre as components.
Saha Pathanapibul Group holds a 25-per-cent stake in Carbon Magic (Thailand) – located in Industrial Park Sri Racha, in Chon Buri province – with Toray Group owning the remainder.
“Carbon Magic (Thailand) has a registered capital of Bt590 million. It produces carbon fibre for components of airplanes, racing cars, cars, motorcycles, trains, bikes, equipment for robots, and medical equipment,” Boonsithi said.
Carbon Magic (Thailand) was previously Dome Composites (Thailand), established by Dome Group of Japan and Saha Pathanapibul Group in 2005.
 Dome Composites (Thailand) was in 2013 renamed to a company of Toray Group.
 
REGUS OPENS BUSINESS CENTRE IN PHUKET
Global workplace provider Regus claims local and international entrepreneurs can put their businesses “on the map” by locating to its new business centre in Phuket.
The 18th Regus centre in Thailand is its first in Phuket.
Regus Royal Phuket Marina offers individuals and companies 103 short- and long-term workspaces right by the waterfront, with 24-hour access and parking.

KTC TARGETS SIMILAR NET PROFIT TO LAST YEAR’S
Krungthai Card expects net earnings this year to be similar to last year’s as it focuses on upper-income customers and young consumers.
KTC outperformed its peers in 2015 by recording net profit of Bt2.07 billion, up by 18 per cent from 2014, driven by net income from its credit-card and personal-loan businesses.
The board has approved a dividend payment of Bt3.25 per share, to be paid on April 28.