RUSSIA-THAI TRADE SET TO INCREASE FIVE-FOLD

A committee consisting of deputy prime ministers has also been proposed to drive both countries’ economic cooperation in trade of products, services and investment.

Both also agreed to accelerate completion of their cooperations, including in agriculture and fisher, prior to a meeting of leaders of Russia and Asean in May 2016.

Thailand-Russia trade, for the past three years, averaged US$4 billion per year. Last year, the figure was $2.4 billion or 0.56 per cent of Thailand’s trade. – The Nation

 

SINGAPORE PICKED 

BEST FOR EXPATS

Singapore was named Asia’s best city for expatriates in a ranking of 230 cities worldwide by consultancy firm Mercer.

But European cities dominated the top ten on Mercer’s 2016 quality of living ranking, despite the recent migrant crisis, terror threats, and concern about the region’s economic outlook.

Singapore beat other major cities in Asia including Tokyo and Hong Kong, at 26th place worldwide.

The Austrian city of Vienna took the top spot for the seventh consecutive year for providing the highest quality of life.

Other Western European cities that did well include Zurich, Switzerland, in second place and Munich, Germany, in fourth.

New Zealand’s Auckland cliched the third spot, making it the highest-ranking city in the Asia-Pacific region.

Canada’s Vancouver, at number five, was North America’s best city.

In sixth place was German city Dusseldorf, followed by Frankfurt in seventh, Geneva at eighth, Copenhagen in ninth and Sydney, Australia, making 10th.

The survey also identifies the personal safety ranking for the cities, based on internal stability, crime figures, performance of local law enforcement, and the home country’s relationship with other countries.Luxembourg topped the personal safety list, jointly followed by Bern, Helsinki, and Zurich.

Singapore ranked highest for personal safety in Asia, clinching the 8th spot globally. Dubai, at 75th, ranks the highest for quality of living across Africa and the Middle East. – Jakarta Post

 

RS SUFFERS REVENUE,

NET PROFIT DROP 

RS suffered a 13.4 per cent drop to Bt3.728 billion revenue last year while net profit also followed suit, decreased by 33.1 per cent to Bt121 million. 

Chief financial officer Dam Nana insisted yesterday that last year’s business result still reflected strong financial status. Despite facing a decline, media business mainly lead by Channel 8 digital TV station created Bt2.24 billion with 33 per cent increase compared to the same period in a previous year. Meanwhile, music and concert business made Bt1.17 billion. 

For this year, the leading music and entertainment company is focusing on strengthening its media business, particularly its flagship free-to-air digital TV "Channel 8" and satellite-based free-to-air "Channel 2."– The Nation