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Published on December 5, 2007

Jhitraporn Techacharn was quoted by Thai News Agency (TNA) as saying the index in the trade and services sector rose to 42.6 points, from 41.3 in September.

The index increased from 40 points to 41.3 in the retail sector and from 42.6 points to 44.6 in the services sector but dropped from 41.5 points to 41.2 in the wholesale sector. Indexes for the overall economy and private businesses increased from 26.2 points to 33.6 and from 35.1 points to 41.2, respectively.

TNA said the indexes remaining below 50 indicated that although business people were more confident, that was not a good indicator, because they were still concerned about the weak economy, declining purchasing power and higher production and transport costs.

Jhitraporn said the index for the trade and services sector over the next three months edged up from 48 points to 48.4. The indexes for the wholesale and retail sectors rose from 48 points to 48.9 and from 47 points to 48.7, respectively, while that for the service sector dropped marginally, from 48.6 points to 48.5.

The Nation