Jhitraporn Techacharn, director-general of the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, said yesterday that the items included tableware ceramics, small plant pots, tableware glasses, salt-and-pepper containers and spa products.

"Daiso also recommended on how to improve the products to meet the market's demands, which should lead to more orders in the future," she said. - The Nation.

Kiatnakin opens car auction centre

Kiatnakin Bank has opened the Bt40-million Kiatnakin Car Centre in a move aimed at increasing its auto loans by 30 per cent this year. The centre, located on Bang Na-Trat Road Km 8, will hold its first vehicle auction on Saturday.

The bank hopes to extend Bt6.11 billion in new auto loans, on top of the Bt29.67 billion outstanding at the end of last year.

It is strengthening its relationship with 1,000 new- and used-car dealers to maintain its loan ratio at 50 per cent new, 50 per cent used. It also plans to add 10 branches to its present network of 19. - The Nation.

Manufacturing jobs in decline

Manufacturing employment declined by 30,000 in December compared to the same month in 2005, while agricultural employment increased by 60,000.

The National Statistical Office said employment was rising mainly in the public sector, as well as the hotel and restaurant, transport and retail/wholesale industries.

In the month, 36.58 million people were working, while 360,000 were unemployed.

The highest unemployment rate was witnessed in the North, at 1.2 per cent, while it was one per cent in the Northeast.

The unemployment rate dropped in the South by 1.3 percentage points to 1 per cent, in the Central region by 0.4 point to 0.9 per cent and in Bangkok by one point to 0.7 per cent. - The Nation.

Ministry using Afet to cut rice stockpile

The Commerce Ministry will open bidding for government rice via the Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand (Afet) in April as part of its strategy to seek new channels to release its huge stocks of the grain.

Siripol Yodmuangchareon, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, yesterday presented the policy and explained bidding details to government agencies and private entities, including the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Thai Rice Exporters Association and Thai Rice Millers Association.

"Bidding through the futures exchange will foster transparent practices among all bidders," he said.

The department will offer 150,000 tonnes of rice in the first lot to go under the gavel. - The Nation.