IN BRIEF
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Thai and S Korean experts to discuss collaboration at Biotec this month
The National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec), under the Science and Technology Ministry, and the Korean Research Institute of Biotechnology and Bioscience have joined forces to organise a business-to-business meeting between South Korean bio-industries and Biotec.
The aim is to explore research collaboration which could lead to possible mutual investment. The meeting will be held on November 30 at the Biotec offices in Thailand Science Park.South Korea's biotechnology industry offers export opportunities in certain sub-segments, particularly biotech equipment/instruments, biopharmaceuticals, biochemistry, and biotech services. With domestic production totalling 1.9 trillion Korean won (Bt74 billion) in 2002, its biotech industry accounted for 1.4 per cent of the world market. Exports in 2002 were US$700 million (Bt25.6 billion). Although the market is now relatively small, Korea has set an ambitious target of accounting for 10 per cent of the world's bio-industry in the future. Biotechnology is one of 10 key industries singled out by Seoul as future economic growth engines. - The Nation. AGRICULTURE: VN rice exports bring in $1.2 billion Vietnamese rice exports over the past 10 months have generated nearly US$1.2 billion (Bt44 billion) in revenue, according to the country's Trade Ministry. The ministry this week forecast that export volume would hit the target of 4 million tonnes per year in the next five years. Vietnam is among the world's largest rice exporters, shipping more than 4 million tonnes abroad since the start of the year. Truong Thanh Phong, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said the country would be able to meet its export target and sustain national food security due to a bumper harvest and inventory built up during 2005. He said global rice prices this year had hit a decade high, which has not only improved corporate revenues but also farm incomes. - Viet Nam News, Asia News Network. Centralworld: GM for hotel, convention centre Gerd Steeb, president of Central Hotels & Resorts, recently announced the appointment of Michel Horn as general manager of CentralWorld Hotel & Convention Centre Bangkok. Horn, who is French, graduated with a Higher Degree in Hotel Management from the University of Hotel and Management of Strasbourg, France. He has also attended several hotel training and management courses in France and the United Kingdom. Horn has over 25 years experience in hotel management, including 13 years at Accor, and has worked as general manager in France, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China, Cambodia, South Korea and Thailand. He worked with Central Samui Beach Resort on Koh Samui as general manager in 1994. The convention centre of CentralWorld Hotel will open in June 2007, and the hotel in early 2008. - The Nation.
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