Finance Ministry wants BOT focus on monetary policy

Israel seeks bilateral FTA deal

Israel is interested in a free-trade agreement with Thailand in order to enhance economic and political ties between the countries and triple trade value in the next four years, Israeli diplomats said yesterday in Bangkok.

More bond-based funds

Several asset-management companies plan to launch more funds that focus on bonds rather than equities while they wait for more consistent economic growth, financial experts said yesterday.

Q4 EARNINGS : Bumper bank profits forecast

Fourth-quarter net profits for Thai banks will jump significantly, thanks to strong lending growth, smaller loan-loss provisions, a higher net interest margin and large investment gains.

HOT STOCKS : Stock: PTT Plc (PTT)

Recommendation: Buy

Superblock plans listing this quarter

Superblock Plc wants to go public this quarter now that it has successfully restructured debts.

STREET WISE

Donations come at a price

Khao Lak firms on their knees

How do we survive? That is the question being asked by Jitlada and Malee Sorn-in, Phang Nga natives and founders of a family resort and retail complex in Khao Lak that was worth Bt50 million before being destroyed by last month’s tsunami.

TELECOM DISPUTE : TOT/True spat erupts again

Agency accuses fixed-line concessionaire of violating contract; talks sought

Anti-piracy efforts recognised

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) plans to award certificates to Thai firms that discourage the use of pirated software as part of its measures to tackle the corporate use of unlicensed software, the alliance’s anti-piracy director said yesterday.

Slow-coaches at new airport told they face blacklisting

The Transport Ministry has threatened to blacklist companies whose progress in the construction of the New Bangkok International Airport (NBIA) is 7.5-per-cent slower than set out in their bidding proposals.

Mirinda gets ‘ambassador’ in Sornram

Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co Ltd hopes that making a celebrity into a brand ambassador instead of just a presenter for its Mirinda beverage will help sales to outperform the sluggish market for non-cola soft drinks.

AIS wants lion’s share

Leading cell-phone operator Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) has targeted a 55-per-cent slice of the four million new mobile phone subscribers forecast for this year.

The value of property valuations

Property valuation has become significantly more important for the economy because it is closely linked to improved accountancy standards and a more sophisticated financial environment.

CHIA TAI FARMS : A hi-tech leap toward high quality

New ideas for fruit, veg growers

E-tickets are here to stay

Travel agencies should get ready to adopt advanced technology and prepare new products to survive the revolution in air-booking, Chitvee Leelasiri, country manager for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said yesterday.

NPARK/CITY REALTY : Question raised over fairness of share swap

Adviser says deal not fair to Natural Park shareholders