Cooperatives Promotion Department director-general Supatra Thanaseniwat yesterday said members should focus more on packaging, marketing, promotional strategies and production costs.

Cooperative sales reached more than Bt700 million last year, with exports at Bt207.85 million, or 29.69 per cent.

Fresh and processed foods achieved the biggest sales, Bt111.04 million, accounting for 53.42 per cent of total export sales. - The Nation.

Airline/hotel mileage

Etihad Airways and Millennium and Copthorne Hotels have formed a partnership that enables members of the airline's frequent-flyer programme to earn miles when staying at any of the group's 67 hotels.

Millennium and Copthorne is due to open the five-star Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok this year. - The Nation.

Foot-and-mouth disease

The Livestock Development Department has ordered its agencies to vaccinate cattle, pigs, goats and sheep against foot-and-mouth disease.

Deputy director-general Chaweewan Leowijuck said Thailand would use measures to ensure the disease did not hit its farm industry. These animals generate about Bt10 billion for the economy each year. In addition, vaccinations every six months will ensure high-quality meat for export. - The Nation.

Student trip abroad

Bayer Thai is inviting high-school and university students aged 15-25 to apply for its Bayer Young Environmental Envoy programme. The five chosen envoys will make an educational trip to Germany from November 18-23.

In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, the programme is aimed at enhancing the role of Thai youths in environmental protection and allowing them with to study the relationship between development and the environment from both national and international perspectives.

Application forms and project proposals under the theme of "Environmental Management for Thailand" must be submitted by July 27. - The Nation.