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The Business Development Department and the Board of Trade of Thailand have joined forces to support 30 trade associations in drawing up strategies for driving business growth in four priority sectors of tourism, lifestyle, logistic, and property development.
Bangjongjitt Angsusingh, director-general of the department, said the strategies will emphasise the benefits of operations in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as it offers greater opportunities to expand and grow along with the EEC development. After developing the four priority sectors, the department and relevent trade associations will extend their support to other businesses in the future.
Under the plan, enterprises from 30 trade associations will be coached to conduct businesses more professionally, while enterprises will be encouraged to link up their businesses activities to reap benefits from the EEC in penetrating neighbouring countries and overseas markets, she said.
Moreover, to encourage businesses growth, the department will continue the competition for outstanding trade associations for the fifth consecutive years in September this year. 
Since 2013, 36 trade associations were awarded the outstanding trade association rewards. Currently, 2,810 trade associations are registered in the country. 

ALLIANZ AYUDHYA REPORTS STRONG Q1 PERFORMANCE  
 
Allianz Ayudhya Assurance reported it had achieved strong performance for the first quarter of 2017, with Gross Written Premium (GWP) reaching Bt7.8 billion, a 5.5 per cent growth. The company is on track to becoming the market leader in life and health protection insurance by the end of this year, with Bt32.5 billion in premiums.
Bryan Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Ayudhya Assurance Plc, said: “In the first quarter of 2017, Allianz Ayudhya showed strong performance with GWP from all channels reaching Bt7.8 billion, growing 5.5 per cent over the same period last year.
 Our agency channel continues to be the major premium contributor, with GWP of Bt2.9 billion. Bancassurance is growing continuously, generating GWP of Bt2.6 billion. We remain the market leader in premiums of GWP Bt1.2 billion, generated through direct marketing.”

SEZ IN THE WORKS FOR LUANG PRABANG 

Delays attributed to project demarcation have now been addressed in development of a US$1.2 billion special economic zone (SEZ) in Luang Prabang province in Laos as its developer seeks further investment and financial backing. 
The plans for the zone include a 23-storey building, schools, hospitals, shopping centre, bank, hotels, restaurants and residences including homes and advanced nursing care for older people.
The SEZ is designed to create a modern conurbation for the provincial capital while ensuring the ongoing preservation of the old town.- Vientiane Times