The investment is expected to boost new loans by up to 30 per cent from last year's Bt1.8 billion, he said.- The Nation.

Passenger, cargo traffic rise

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) announced yesterday that international passenger traffic had grown by 6.8 per cent and international freight traffic by 5.4 per cent in February.

Year-to-date passenger traffic growth of 6.4 per cent is in line with industry projections of 6.5-per-cent growth in 2006. International freight traffic grew by 5.3 per cent for the first two months of the year after a period of volatility and weakness last year.

February, traditionally the slowest month for international traffic, brought both good news and solid growth. The recovery in freight traffic has stretched to three months with growth of more than 5 per cent resulting from the strength in international trade, said Giovanni Bisignani, Iata director-general and CEO. - The Nation.

United offers low fares to US

United Airlines is offering travellers from Thailand a special price for a return ticket to more than 200 US destinations.

Tickets are available from until April 14 for passengers who wish to travel from Thailand during until May 17.

United Economy round-trip tickets to popular West Coast destinations - including Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle - start at only Bt30,500, excluding tax and fuel surcharges. - The Nation.

TNT awarded Mitsubishi deal

Mitsubishi has awarded TNT Logistics an eight-year contract to support the automotive company's operations in Thailand. TNT will deploy 50 staff to manage Mitsubishi's wheel sub-assembly operation for all of the company's vehicles at a 2,500sqm facility on the Eastern Seaboard.

The contract, valued at about Bt200 million, adds to TNT's growing portfolio of automotive clients in the Thai market, said Matthew Stimpson, business development director for TNT Logistics. - The Nation.