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Published on December 13, 2007

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said yesterday the FBA amendment subcommittee would finalise its comments on the issue this week.

Business Development Department director-general Kanissorn Navanugraha said the House panel would try to complete the amendment details this week, to ensure that the Act is proposed for ratification by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) before the December 23 general election.

The NLA is not likely to accept any laws for consideration after the election.

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Loans granted

PTT is extending the natural gas for vehicles (NGV) engine-refitting loan programme until the end of next February, due to huge demand in the light of high oil prices.

The programme targets car-owners, who can borrow Bt10,000 at zero interest for the refitting. The loans are available through First Choice, Thanachart Bank, Aeon Thana Sinsap and Krungthai Card.

Interested persons, however, must by the end of the year show their intention to refit, PTT said. Moreover, the refitting must be carried at one of 21 authorised garages.

PTT is also considering importing lighter-weight NGV tanks, if demand increases next year.

Operators of 1,500 public buses have also shown interest in converting to NGV. About 500 buses have already been converted.

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Wider control

Drinking yoghurt and car batteries will be put on the control list to prevent unfair price hikes under pressure from oil prices.

Internal Trade Department director-general Yangyong Phuangrach yesterday said including the two products would take the number on the control list to 36.

The department will closely monitor the retail prices of the goods on the list, said Yangyong, adding that this would not be a suitable time to allow more products to increase their retail prices, particularly pork.

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Foam system

Norway's IMG, a major manufacturer of furniture foam, is using Bayer MaterialScience's "Bayfit®" polyurethane moulded foam system for its production in Thailand.

IMG focuses here on making comfortable and high-quality furniture.

President Nils Gunnar Hjellegjerde said the company had successfully tested the Bayfit® moulded foam and found it well suited for its needs, which is to combine comfort, quality and reliability in the end product.

"We are currently using it at the Thai manufacturing facilities and plan also to use it at our new foam and upholstery factory in Vietnam," he said.

The Nation