Director Gumpol Tiyarat said the company would spend Bt1.8 billion on two condominium developments in Bangkok - one on Sukhumvit Soi 59 and another on Rajdamri. Construction starts in the second half of this year and should be completed by 2009.

The 500-rai TFD Industrial Estate in Bang Pakong will cost Bt1.5 billion.

Gumpol said sales from the three projects should generate Bt6.4 billion within three years.

Thai Factory Development announced total revenue of Bt411.7 million and net profit Bt65.5 million for last year. - The Nation.

French arrivals

Thailand welcomed a total of 321,278 visitors from France last year - a 16-per-cent increase over the 2005 total of 276,840.

France is the third-largest contributor in terms of international-visitor arrivals from Europe and is in the top-10 in terms of its contribution to tourism revenue.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Paris office attributes this to collaboration among Team Thailand members - a strategic marketing partnership spearheaded by the Thailand Embassy with the support of the authority, private travel and tourism associations and operators as well as representatives from other state agencies. - The Nation.

Export drive

Four new agriculture-attaches will be established this year to promote Malaysian agricultural products.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Mah Siew Keong said the offices in Australia, Dubai, Thailand and the United States would bring the number of overseas offices to six.

The first office was opened in the middle of last year at The Hague in the Netherlands. An office was set up in Beijing, China, this year. - The Star/Asia News Network

Boost for tuna

Malaysian International Tuna Port is entering the cannery business as part of a 400-million-ringgit (Bt4 billion) plan to boost the industry.

Chief executive director Annuar Zaini Binyamin said the cannery business, which was the fourth phase of its business plan, would be set up once infrastructure and processing centres were established in Batu Maung Port, Penang.

"Malaysia is lagging behind in tapping the lucrative tuna industry, estimated at between M$6 billion and M$7 billion.

"Our neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia are raking in tuna exports of up to M$4 billion a year," he said.

Malaysia's tuna-export sales were estimated at M$50 million annually, Annuar said.

Tuna Port took over the port in April 2005 to upgrade and spruce up infrastructure. Upon completion in 2009,

the port will provide landing and export facilities for 70-80 boats of up to 5,000 tonnes. - The Star/Asia News Network.

Fair in Laos

A regional trade fair comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam will be held at Pakse city in the Lao province of Champasak from tomorrow until March 25, the Lao Dong daily reported yesterday.

It will be the first trade fair involving the Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia development triangle. - The Nation.