Upcoming Hong Kong meet crucial: delegation head. The European Union may start pursuing regional trade arrangements if the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting in Hong Kong fails, according to EU envoys.

Pay and bonuses Bumper year

Consumer-goods and energy firms offer the biggest pay packages. Annual salary increases in Thailand are expected to average a strong 6.4 per cent this year, with the average total bonus equivalent to 2.6 months’ salary. The Hay Annual Survey in Thailand, released last month, surveyed companies across various industries in Thailand from September 2004 to August 2005.

CAT candidates’ vision fails to inspire

CAT Telecom’s board scrapped the selection process for president yesterday as anticipated, saying that neither of the two finalists is suitable for the top job.

BizBits: A new spin on game theory

You may wonder why people (especially your office staff) love to play computer games. Vice Minister for Commerce Suvit Maesincee has a theory explaining why.

COST OF LIVING: Inflation rate slips in November

First year-on-year drop in CPI for 12 months as fuel, food prices fall; 0.7-per-cent decline on month to 5.9 per cent

Picnic shares dive as trading resumes

Shares of Picnic Corp Plc resumed trading yesterday after the cooking-gas producer filed a clarification with the stock exchange about its negotiations with holders of Bt510 million in bills of exchange on which the company has defaulted, as well as details about its repayment of Bt486 million in debts.

PRIDIYATHORN FORECAST: Exports to bounce back

MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, governor of the Bank of Thailand, said export growth in the last two months of the year would rebound from the unexpected slowdown in October.

Firms miss SET deadline

At least 25 companies have failed to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in time this year and will have to try again for the Market for Alternative Investment next year.

Bank lending growth losing momentum

Thai commercial banks extended Bt220 billion in new loans in the first nine months of the year, increasing the level of outstanding credit by 4.5 per cent from the end of last year, according to Kasikorn Research Centre data.

Biznews round-up

- The Government Housing Bank is offering a fixed, 1-per-cent interest rate for six months on mortgage loans for flood victims in the South. The bank is also providing a special fixed rate of 3.75 per cent for five years. Both existing and new customers are eligible for this promotion.

OMNICOM GROUP: Kingdom being eyed as hub for creativity

US firm’s regional CEO sets priority on staff upgrading

dwp cityspace gets Asian plaudits

dwp cityspace scooped two awards and one honourable mention at the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards ceremony held in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

2006 EXPANSION: Carrefour packs more into less

Retailer is waiting for new zoning law to take effect

Agribusinesses asked to use barter-trade deals

The government yesterday invited major agribusiness conglomerates to participate in its barter-trade contracts, in a bid to promote a healthy trade balance and reduce the use of cash payments.

Three more stores from KNKN Retail

KNKN Retail will spend Bt15 million to open three Aussino home-furnishing stores over two years.

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PROPERTY: Auction set for Nonthaburi

New telecom code to keep giants in check

The national telecom regulator is expected to finish writing competi-tion regulations this month to regulate the dominant market players and prevent cross subsidies amongst business groups.

Siemens posts strong local growth

Siemens Thailand has posted growth in both sales and the value of new orders in the fiscal year 2005 after clinching several major telecommunications and transport contracts.

Mass-transit systems attract homebuyers

Prinsiri Plc plans to develop 10 residential projects worth Bt5.5 billion next year, most of them close to Bangkok’s mass-transit system, said chief executive Siriluck Kovitchindachai.

MK’s owner reveals recipe for success

Rit Thirakomen will never reveal the exact ingredients of his MK Restaurant’s suki sauce, but he can talk a bit about what brought him business success.

Transport bidding to be delayed

The Transport Ministry said yesterday it expected to select contractors for its Bt550-billion Bangkok mass-transit projects in June, instead of early next year as previously planned.