Focus on country’s research priorities. The planned merger of the Science and Technology Ministry and the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry will create a comprehensive research and development superstructure.

WTO became a more inclusive body under Supachai

Jeerawat Na Thalang assesses Supachai Panitchpakdi’s performance as WTO chief. His three-year term ended yesterday. We know that the World Trade Organisation chief doesn’t have the executive power to make sweeping changes and that decisions on global commerce rules depend very much on 147 members, but The Nation couldn’t resist the temptation to assess Supachai Panitchpakdi’s performance as outgoing director-general of the body.

IMPROVING BALANCE SHEET: Current account back in black

Imports grow at the slowest rate of the year in July as oil consumption eases

Sansiri sales hit Bt2 bn in July-Aug

Sansiri Plc, a luxury property developer, said that it sold 300 detached homes, condominiums and townhouses worth Bt2 billion in July and August.

TFEX awards licences

The Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) has awarded the first 20 brokerage licences.

HOT STOCKS: Stock: PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP)

Recommendation: Hold

BIZNEWS ROUND-UP

lThe Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday granted Advance Securities a brokerage licence. It starts operations today.

STREET WISE: The best-laid plans go awry

It is a universal belief that land is one of the most valuable assets one can possess. No wonder then that people around the world wish to own at least one plot.

SUGAR INDUSTRY: Suriya calls for sector to be freed up

Says farmers back idea, despite their past resistance

Some destinations still feel tsunami pain

New figures indicate some tsunami-affected destinations remain in the tourism doldrums more than eight months after the devastating December 26 tsunami.

Shopping ambassadors at Siam Paragon

Shoppers will receive personal service from one of 40 Siam Paragon “ambassadors” when the world-class shopping centre opens on December 1.

IN BRIEF: Japan

Nortel ships 5,000th system

Correction

Due to an editing error, yesterday’s 1B story “Avoid top builders, brokers say” wrongly identified Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc as a company that Tisco Securities expects to be affected by the shelving of the Purple and Orange rail routes. One of the firms Tisco highlighted was in fact Seafco Plc, a diaphragm wall contractor.

GARMENT INDUSTRY: Firms call for an end to price controls

Measures will be counter-productive, reduce quality if kept too long – ICC Int’l

Asean talks trade with seven countries

Senior Asean officials last week wrapped up a series of talks in Bangkok with seven partners in a bid to create trade deals and enhance bilateral economic relations.

Farm goods import value soars 339%

Thailand’s farm goods import value skyrocketed 339 per cent during the first half as a result of the government’s programme to promote contract farming in neighbouring countries.

NTC to appoint 3G rule panel

The national telecom regulator will appoint a committee to draw up licensing regulations of third-generation (3G) mobile phones, satellite operations, international gateways and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Air Madagascar entices Thai tourists

Air Madagascar yesterday launched a ‘buy one get one free’’ promotional tour package to spur Thai businessmen and tourists to fly with the carrier.

Late News: Tiger airways

Birthday special

Boonrawd adopts new image

Boonrawd Brewery Co Ltd has been a renowned beer brewer for 72 years, but now the company is shifting its image to become a leader in the market for non-alcoholic beverages.

Chinese investment on the rise

Foreign direct investment from China reached Bt8.9 billion during the first seven months of this year - reflecting the increased interest Chinese investors have in channelling money into Thailand following the signing of the Thai-China free-trade agreement, said the Board of Investment.

Cheer in a bottle

Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co Ltd, maker of premium beer brand Heineken, will launch a new ale called “Cheer” for the low-end segment of the market, an industrial source said yesterday.