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Published on December 14, 2007

The road map aims to encourage domestic consumption as well as create alternative marketing channels for rubber products.

Sukkawat Chanpannig, inspector-general of the Agriculture Ministry and acting director-general of the department, said yesterday that the plan would focus on product development and brand creation.

Vehicle tyres, gloves, and elastic bands for industry and rubber bands will be given priority.

The tyre industry, whose exports were worth Bt43.58 billion last year and used 158,000 tonnes of rubber, half of which was local natural rubber. Rubber glove exports reached Bt27.28 billion last year, using 75,120 tonnes per month.

"The plan aims to reduce imports of rubber products particularly tyres," he said.

GMM upbeat

GMM Grammy is optimistic that this year's revenues will be 5 per cent higher than the target of Bt6.5 billion.

Sirichai Tantiponganan, executive vice president for finance and accounting, said yesterday that the company has set another conservative growth target for next year due to the economic slowdown and cost pressures from rising petrol prices.

The company posted a net profit of Bt318.29 million in the first nine months of this year. Last year it earned Bt208.76 million on total revenues of Bt6.43 billion.

New soda mix

Johnnie Walker has demonstrated its leadership in the Scotch whisky market with this month's launch of an exciting pre-mix drink, Johnnie Walker Soda Mix.

Vorarat Charoonsmith, the whisky marketing director at Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd, said yesterday that this would be the first time the company would unveil the latest product innovation. 

 The Nation