Some operations to be opened to private firms. Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapong-pisal has announced a plan to open up the country’s state-run railway business to private firms in order to increase efficiency.

Egat outlines IPO terms for households

Make sure you don’t throw away your electricity bill and that it shows your name – not that of the previous owner of the power meter – if you want a chance to buy shares in Egat Plc, Southeast Asia’s largest electricity company.

GLOBAL TRADE TALKS: ‘Asean-first’ policy seen as crucial

Better than going it alone, say experts

PTTEP set to accelerate exploration

PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) has raised its investment and operating budget for next year by Bt2.3 billion for a total of Bt53 billion, reflecting increasing exploration in natural gas fields.

Suriya lifts carmaking target to 2 million units

As the local auto industry gears up to roll out its one-millionth vehicle in a year for the first time, Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has bumped up the country’s 2010 car production target from 1.8 million units to 2 million.

Tariff cuts for neighbours

Thailand has offered to end tariffs for contract agricultural products and provide preferential tariff rates for 10 farm products.

Crackdown on illegal software

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced a campaign to encourage full payment for copyrighted software and initiated legal action against seven companies while investigating 40 others it claims are using unlicensed software in Thailand.

Regular THAI flights to Moscow

Thai Airways International (THAI) has become the 15th foreign airline to fly regularly to Moscow, said officials at Domodedovo International Airport in the Russian capital.

LATE NEWS: Printing Industry

Tariffs on ink and goods to be axed

PERSONALITY: Kritika puts her market theories to test

Dr Kritika Kongsompong, an academic and well-known TV host, hopes to transform modern marketing theories from her academic career into actual business practice in managing her first company.

Foreign telecom giants interested in tie-ups: NTC

Foreign telecommunications giants have showed serious interest in exploring the Thai market, which is moving toward an era of full liberalisation and 3G (third generation) wireless technology.

Seminar to focus on self-sufficiency

Building a sustainable economy under a philosophy of self-sufficiency will be the theme of a seminar for up to 1,000 academics, officials and members of the public on Monday. The event is organised by Hua Chiew University with the National Economic and Social Development Board at Hua Chiew’s main campus on Bang Na-Trat highway (Km18). Other supporters are PTT Plc and the Nation Multimedia Group.

STREET WISE: Overwhelmed by mega-numbers

Being a minister can never be easy, as witnessed on Tuesday when the Cabinet was flooded with so many issues to decide in a single day.

ANALYSIS: Egat – to buy or not to buy?

Taking into account that Egat’s initial public offer (IPO) price is by no means cheap and its future earnings carry some risk, investors looking to subscribe to the initial public offering may find it hard to anticipate a substantial gain in their investment, writes Pichaya Changsorn.

SINGHA PARATECH: SET wants share deal clarified

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) demanded yesterday that Singha Paratech Plc, a wood flooring manufacturer, clarify for the fourth time the share purchasing transaction done with its trading partner Westcoast International Co Ltd.

GHB profit hit by housing policies

The government’s policy of helping people buy houses coupled with recent lending rate hikes have squeezed profits at the Government Housing Bank, GHB president Khan Prachuabmoh said yesterday.

TDT says share offer is fully subscribed

The 141.91 million capital-increase shares of the Thai Durable Group (TDT) were fully subscribed to by Shi Kai Bon Jeffrey and Charoen Saksirisilp, the company has reported.

Real deposit rate stays negative

Thailand’s real deposit rate in October was in negative territory for the 33rd consecutive month at minus 3.03 per cent, down from minus 3.2 per cent in the previous month, according to central bank data.

HOT STOCKS: Stock: Thai Oil Plc (TOP)

Recommendation: Buy

AIRPORT RAIL LINK: Pongsak unhappy with slow progress

Minister frustrated with SRT that vital work already behind schedule

Rado names ‘ambassador’

Rado Watch has appointed its first brand ambassador in Thailand – actress and television host Saraichat “Ning” Kunchorn na Ayutthya – to raise awareness about its many products targeted at upper-income women, in addition to its watches for men and younger people.

IN BRIEFS: Agricultural commodities

New quality standards to boost farm exports

COMPANY REPORTS

AJF GLOBAL CONVERTIBLE BOND FUND reported a net profit of Bt40.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, against Bt42.99 million in the same period last year.

BUSINESS DIARY

08.00 Corporate-governance seminar