Goods may be dumped in other markets. Some exporters have questioned the virtues of a government-initiated scheme to barter agricultural products for jetfighters and other big-ticket goods. “The items we are bartering for are highly priced and at that price, we have to offer tonnes of cheap agricultural products.

Car sales expected to accelerate

Experts say the Thai automobile market will still be able to register growth in 2006 despite intensifying competition as major producers raise production and try to increase domestic market share. It is expected that total auto sales in 2006 will reach 740,000-760,000 units, up about 10 per cent compared to 2005.

Taxes, rules stymie medical-hub plans

The government is yet to do many things, particularly in the field of supervisory regulations and tariff cuts on medical equipment imports, if it wants to achieve the goal of turning Thailand into a medical hub, say private hospital operators.

Lots of long holidays this year could spell a windfall for hotel and travel operators

Hotel and airline operators are upbeat about prospects in 2006 – there are twice the number of long holidays this year than in 2005, which they hope translate into more people taking to the road.

STREET WISE: Wishful thinking

People make wishes every day, particularly on birthdays or anniversaries. New Year is also one of those occasions.

BANKING IN 2006: Focus on savings deposits

Banks will heavily tout savings deposits in 2006 to raise money for increased lending this year and comply with the government’s policy of boosting household savings.

MARKETING IN 2006: Major challenges for local businesss amid f lat growth

Seminar told of need to react to technology, demographic change, social, environmental factors

Tough year ahead for ad firms

This year will be the second year of a downturn in the advertising industry as many corporate clients are expected to continue trying to squeeze mileage out of meagre advertising budgets, trying to survive amid economic uncertainty.

Defunct body may be given 3G task

The national telecom regulator is considering resorting to the spectrum master plan of the now-defunct frequency-allocation panel to manage the issuing of 3G broadband cellular licences.

Otop products coming into their own

Low export value used to be the hallmark of locally made goods like herbal products, wines and spirits, silk and cloth, but the government’s One Tambon One Product (Otop) programme has upgraded them to where they now command premium prices.