He said the trend of a reduction in mortgage rates would depend on whether the Bank of Thailand uses an interest-rate policy to control the currency.

Currently, the GHB provides a mortgage rate of 6.25 per cent and expects it to be lower than 6 per cent by the end of this year.

Khan does not expect the recent Bangkok bombings to have much of an impact on mortgage loans because they are long-term commitments that differ from spending on consumer products in shopping centres.

The bank has targeted Bt90 billion in new mortgage loans this year. - The Nation

MAI expects rise in listings

The Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) expects 24 companies to seek listings this year.

Logistics, foods and pharmaceutical companies would be added to its target list, president Chanit Charnchainarong said in a statement.

In 2006, there were six newly listed companies in the MAI, taking its number of companies to 42.

 Its market capitalisation at the end of 2006 shot up 52.4 per cent from Bt14.31 billion in the corresponding period last year to Bt21.81 billion, while its index jumped 22.3 per cent at 158.23 points.

However, the market's trading volume for 2006 fell by 23.7 per cent from Bt35.94 billion to Bt27.41 billion. Its average daily trading turnover dropped from Bt147 million in 2005 to Bt113 million. - The Nation

Transport data link-up

The National Statistical Office has jointed hands with the Transport Institute of Chulalongkorn University in collecting quarterly data regarding land transportation through 2007 in order to determine the country's logistics policy.

Secretary Thananuch Treetipyabutr said the data will consist of frequency, length and types of transportation.

Other modes of transport will be included in the next phase. - The Nation