Caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday the ministry would ask manufacturers to freeze prices at the factory door for "months". The strategy is aimed at taming inflation and reducing the burden on consumers.

However, the ministry will allow the makers of some products, which shoulder higher production costs than other companies, to increase their retail prices. Last month, the Thai arm of a multinational consumer-products firm threatened to sue the Internal Trade Department for refusing to allow companies to raise prices despite a near doubling in diesel prices over the last year.

After the ministry said it would allow some manufacturers to raise prices, the company dropped its threat. - The Nation.

Sime buys Fortum Thai operation

Sime Darby Bhd yesterday told the Bernama New Agency that its wholly owned Sime Darby Eastern Ltd unit had on July 31 acquired the entire stake in Fortum Energy Solution (Thailand) Co Ltd for 5.24 million ringgit (Bt54 million) from Fortum Power and Heat Oy, a Finnish company.

Fortum provides operations and maintenance services to power plants in Thailand, including the Laem Chabang Power Plant Co, also a wholly owned unit of Sime Darby. - The Nation.

Food and hospitality trends on show

The Asian International Exhibition of Food & Drink, Hotel, Restaurant & Food Service Equipment, Supplies & Services will be held in Hong Kong from May 13-16, 2007 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Promoters say that Hong Kong, Macau, China, along with other Asian countries, are keeping abreast of food and hospitality trends and developments and have established strong markets of their own in recent years. Strong demand from the industries together with support from Thailand's Export Promotion Department will make the trade exhibition the biggest food and hospitality show in Asia next year, the statement said. - The Nation.