MINISTRY STRIVES TO CUT LOGISTICS COSTS
The Ministry of Commerce aims to cut Thailand's logistics cost to 12 per cent of total costs by 2021 in a bid to enhance the country's competitiveness.
Vannaporn Ketudat, deputy director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), said that although Thai operators now shouldered lower logistic costs, at 14 per cent of total costs, than 17 per cent earlier, Thailand sat in third place after Malaysia and Singapore in term of regional competitiveness.
With the right promotion and use of technology, Thailand is expected to gain competitiveness and reduce its logistic costs to the 12 per cent target by 2021, she said.
In an attempt to boost Thai operators' capability and the country's competitiveness, the DITP will organise the Tilog-Logistix 2017 event, which aims to connect logistics-related businesses in Thailand with their peers elsewhere in Asean and farther afield.
It will be held at BITEC from August 16-18.
KFC BRAND GAINS THIRD
THAILAND FRANCHISER
Yum Restaurants International Thailand, the franchise owner of KFC, has announced that a third KFC franchiser will operate in the country.
It has signed an agreement with QSR of Asia Co (QSA), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Thai Beverage Public Co Ltd (ThaiBev) that will acquire and renovate more than 240 KFC restaurants.
Yum Thailand’s refranchising effort is part of parent company Yum! Brands’ strategy to accelerate the global growth of KFC through franchise partnerships and a focus on brand innovation.
It aims to have at least 800 KFC restaurants in Thailand over the next several years.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled about our newly expanded franchise partnership with QSA,” said Roger Eaton, KFC global chief executive officer.
“Their proven operational expertise, enthusiasm for the KFC customer experience and their commitment to continued growth, is precisely the unmatched franchise partner capability we need to drive KFC forward as an iconic brand in Thailand.”
