Swine Producers and Processors for Exporting Association president Boonpeng Santiwattanatham said yesterday that Japan was the main export market, with volume jumping by 23 per cent to 2,033 tonnes in the first quarter.

However, exports to Hong Kong dropped by 7 per cent as its government launched health restrictions.

The association plans to find new markets in Singapore, South Korea and Europe.

Boonpeng added that the government's policy to create a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone would help increase exports.

Planes on way

One-Two-Go will this year receive six of 14 planes it has ordered as it prepares for fierce competition in the next two years when the number of domestic air travellers is expected to increase from 8 million to 15 million.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, CEO of Orient Thai which operates the low-cost carrier, said that half of all travellers were captive clients of Thai Airways and the rest would be shared by Thai AirAsia, Nok Air and One-Two-Go.

The airline is looking to open more connecting flights to cover more destinations including Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Burma. Yesterday, it inaugurated a Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat flight. In 2010, One-Two-Go also aims to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with a plan to divest 25 per cent of capital to the general public. 

Phatra fees fall

Phatra Securities announced a net profit of Bt103.49 million for the first quarter this year, a decrease of 42.85 per cent from Bt181.09 million in the same period last year. The main reason was a fall in brokerage fees.

Revenue was Bt326.46 million, a decrease of Bt170.17 million or 34.26 per cent from Bt496.63 million in the first quarter of 2006.

Costs hit Hana

Hana Microelectronics yesterday reported a 19-per-cent decline in first-quarter net profit, due mainly to higher expenses. Its profit was Bt369.8 million, down from Bt457.9 million a year earlier. Higher expenses stemming from the relocation of a production plant in China outpaced an improvement in sales.

Profits plunge

Property developer Land and Houses yesterday announced a drop in net profit to Bt530 million for the first quarter this year, down from Bt712.7 million year on year.

Rubber pledge

Agriculture Minister Theera Sutabutr says Thailand is set to process half of its raw para rubber in the next five or six years. "Thailand last year produced over 3 million tonnes and over 2.7 million was exported," he said at the 43rd Assembly of Nations & World Rubber Summit.