Jasmine rice exporters said high standards set for jasmine rice were creating difficulties for exporters in some markets. Each market has different demands for Thai jasmine rice and the government should relax its requirements.

According to the official export standard for Thai jasmine rice, it must pass a DNA test and contain 92-per cent jasmine rice per export volume.

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said the ministry was considering the request, but it would not allow rice exporters to claim they are marketing Thai Hom Mali Rice if it contains more than 8 per cent of other kinds of rice. - The Nation.

BoI's US talks

Board of Investment secretary-general Satit Chanjavanakul said yesterday that BoI officials had recently returned from talks with 30 American electronics manufacturers.

Almost all of them are concerned about the baht's appreciation and the Bank of Thailand's 30-per-cent reserve requirement on capital inflows, rather than the country's political situation, he said.

As well, they are concerned about whether Suvarnabhumi Airport will be closed.

Satit said the BoI planned to support industries that need a lot of labour to expand into neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

He said the BoI was also negotiating with the Excise Department about a tax rate for eco-car manufacturers before completing all criteria for the project next month. - The Nation.

Builders' fair

The Home Builders' Association is organising a New Home Builders Fair, to be held at Seacon Square in Bangkok from March 15-18.

Twenty home-building companies will display their projects and offer discounts of up to Bt50,000 on new house prices, depending on contract details, association president Sakda Kovisut said.

The association expects participating companies to attract new business worth Bt200 million at the four-day event. - The Nation.

Design tour

The Export Promotion Department is joining with Thai entrepreneurs to launch a Design Tour campaign, coinciding with the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2007, which will be held from March 7-11. The department's deputy director-general Supatra Srisook said the campaign would allow both foreign importers and visitors to the fair to learn more about Thai furniture design at furniture shops and showrooms.

It would also create opportunities for buyers to meet furniture manufacturers.

The Design Tour will focus on the Skytrain route, and selected customers from the fair will visit furniture shops along the line. - The Nation.