THINKING AHEAD

Thailand’s ranking on the Global Innovation Index has risen to 51 this year from 52 last year among the assessed countries, marking a third year of increases since 2015, according to the Global Innovation Index 2017 co-published by Cornell University, Insead and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, an agency of the United Nations. 
 The Commerce Ministry's permanent secretary Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa said the country's overall score was 37.57, compared with 36.51 last year. 

FLYING HIGH
Global air freight gains
10 per cent in first half

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), grew by a year-on-year 10.4 per cent in the first half of 2017 . This was the strongest performance for a first half since air cargo’s rebound from the global financial crisis in 2010 and nearly triple the industry’s average growth rate of 3.9 per cent over the last five years. 
Freight capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), grew by a year-on-year 3.6 per cent in the first half of 2017 . Demand growth continues to significantly outstrip capacity growth, which is positive for yields. 
IATA said the sustained growth of air freight demand is consistent with an improvement in global trade, with new global export orders remaining close to a six-year high. However, there are some signs that the cyclical growth period may have peaked. 
The global inventory-to-sales ratio has stopped falling. This indicates that the period when companies look to restock inventories quickly, which often gives air cargo a boost, may be nearing an end. Regardless of these developments, the outlook for air freight is optimistic with demand expected to grow at a robust rate of 8 per cent during the third quarter of this year, IATA said.

TRAINING PLAN
SCB Life backs bancassurance coaching programme

SCB Life Assurance Plc and the National Institute of Development Administration have joined to develop the “Bancassurance Coaching Academy” programme.
The training modules for finance, marketing and customer relationship management aim to enhance the capabilities of the bancassurance team.
It also promotes the company’s “Life Coach” model that supports and coaches the sales team with financial planning for all customers at all life stages. 
This programme is a crucial part of the insurer’s customer-centric strategy and its mission to create a “Sustainable Life Insurance” for society. 
The programme was designed by the company in collaboration with the Siripattana Training Centre of the university.

FUN FOCUS
Asus unit boasts slimmest gaming laptop
 
Asus Republic of Gamers, a sub-brand of the Taiwanese computer maker that creates gaming hardware and software, has unveiled its ROG Zephyrus GX501.
The new model is claimed to be the world’s slimmest gaming laptop powered by a seventh-generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The notebook will be available at Asus dealers and IT shops nationwide on August 24. 

AYUD’S NEW BOSS
Arnon to run investment holding firm and its subsidiary

Sri Ayudhya Capital PCL (AYUD) has appointed Arnon Opaspimoltum as President & CEO to manage both AYUD and its subsidiary, Sri Ayudhya General Insurance (SAGI), replacing Rowan D’Arcy who recently retired.
Arnon has close to 30 years of extensive experience in the non-life insurance industry. He started out at Thai Reinsurance PCL in 1989 then went on to work with Viriyah Insurance PCL as its Assistant Managing Director.