Seeks 5-year protection for new drugs. Amidst the local protests against Thai-US free trade talks, the chief US trade negotiator has insisted that Washington has a transparent process in coming up with details on bilateral trade agreements and welcomes different points of view, “as it is part of a democracy”.

Thai Beverage receives support for local listing

The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organisations will support Thai Beverage Plc’s planned listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) by sending representatives to speak with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) soon. Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said yesterday that SET president Kittiratt Na Ranong did not need to take responsibility by resigning from his post if Thai Beverage could not be listed.

Audience likes PM’s economic message

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra did not divulge much that was new during his speech yesterday, but business people and bankers were impressed with what they said was the clear and comprehensive economic picture he delivered.

Panel finds proof of graft against PWO chief, others

The official committee investigating alleged graft at the Public Warehouse Organisation said yesterday that the PWO president had committed disciplinary offences and would be subject to disciplinary action and possibly criminal punishment.

Asia Television & Media launched

After their recent leave-taking from Media of Medias Plc, Yuwadee Boonkrong and Kosit Suwinitchit, co-founders of the 10-year old TV programme production company, yesterday announced the establishment of their new company named Asia Television & Media Co Ltd.

STREET WISE: Hide and seek on FTA venue

Besides suffering headaches in negotiating for the best interests of Thailand, Thai officials also have to dream up new escape strategies every day during the five-day free-trade agreement talks with the United States.

INTEREST RATES: SCB leads latest round of increases

Responds to excess liquidity in system drying up; other banks reviewing position

2006 FUND OUTLOOK: Mutual funds expect fierce competition

The next few years will see intense competition among mutual fund companies. Only the stronger of them are expected to survive the battle for business in an increasing field of competitors vying for success within the same group of customers.

G Steel sets IPO share price

G Steel Plc has set a share price of Bt1.70 for its initial public offering (IPO) of 1.5 billion shares, says a source at Asia Plus Securities Plc, the company’s financial adviser.

SCB Asset Management says 2005 was a boom year

SCB Asset Management witnessed whopping growth of 165 per cent in its asset size last year, which raised its market share in the industry from eighth to second spot.

NSM disposes of Bt4.3 bn in liabilities, debts

Nakornthai Strip Mill Plc’s local creditors, led by the Thai Asset Management Corp (TAMC), have obtained Bt4.3 billion from disposal of the hot-rolled coil maker’s claims on long-term liabilities and hanging debts.

BIZNEWS ROUND-UP

- The Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand will extend its trading hours by one hour from February 1. The new hours will be 10.00 to noon for the morning session and 13.00 to 15.00 in the afternoon.

FOOD FIRMS: Makers seek price hikes

Tell officials sugar costs hitting them hard

Huawei completes CAT’s first-phase CDMA network

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will preside over the hand-over ceremony to CAT Telecom of the completed first phase of cellular-network construction by Huawei Technologies.

Give tourists discounts in low season: travel agents

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has suggested that airlines and hotels offer greater discounts during the low season to attract more travellers.

Patum Design set to expand in provinces

Home builder Patum Design & Develop Co Ltd will expand its market from the Bangkok area to other provinces to boost its sales from Bt180 million last year to Bt300 million in 2006, said company chairman Sitiporn Suwansut.

IN BRIEF: Grande Asset DEvelopment

Hotel developer targets a doubling of sales

COMPANY REPORTS: ERAWAN GROUP announced the signing of an agreement for building renovation and leased land between Erawan Rajdamri Co Ltd, a subsidiary, and The Office of Privy Purse on Monday.

Erawan Rajdamri will renovate the former 15-storey residential building (Park Lane Mansion), which has been leased from The Office of Privy Purse. Under the agreement, the renovation must be completed no later than December 31, 2007. In addition, the lessee and the lessor agreed to terminate the former lease dated June 17, 1987, which was due to expire in 2017.

BUSINESS DIARY

10.30 Confidence survey

BUSINESS OVERHAUL: TBWA to devolve power

Departments to become more independent

Trading in hotels on the rise in Asia-Pacific: survey

Hotel trading across the Asia Pacific is on the rise and investors are taking notice, thanks to increasing operating incomes, strong regional economies and a limited supply on the drawing broad, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ latest Hotel Investor Sentiment Survey.

Royal Caribbean to buy 3 mega-liners

Royal Caribbean International is spending US$2 billion (Bt80 billion) to build three more ships in order to meet growing demand from international travellers.

LATE NEWS: Oil Industry

PTTEP unit finds crude oil,natural-gas deposits in Algeria