Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit held talks with the Thai owner of a large wholesale store in Los Angeles and attended a film market event to promote Thai movies.

Chemico International Corporation, a Thai importer and distributor of raw materials for the health and beauty industry, has earmarked Bt350 million to open its second International Health and Beauty Centre in Thailand and nine new branches in Africa this year, managing director Prasob Polakitkitti said on Monday.