Briefs

The Government Housing Bank yesterday became the first bank to cut its interest rates after the Monetary Policy Committee cut the policy rate 75 basis points on Wednesday.

 The bank said its minimum retail rate would be cut 25 basis points to 6.75 per cent from next Saturday and its deposit rate 50 basis points from Monday.

 "This is a good chance for home-buyers, because interest is much lower than it was last year," said president Khan Prachuabmoh.

Green waste disposal

Better World Green has signed a Bt412-million contract with Nakhon Ratchasima municipality for the provision of a waste-disposal system.

The company will have 28 months to design a system that can accommodate at least 230 tonnes of waste a day and 83,950 tonnes a year. Material separation and waste-based energy generation will be features of the system.

Iris Group projects

Property firm the Iris Group will launch two new residential projects worth a combined Bt400 million this year targeted at the younger generation.

CEO Kitipong Sumanond said the move was aimed at helping boost sales to Bt2 billion this year.

One project will be detached houses and the other townhouses, both under The Iris brand and located in Sukhumvit Soi 107 (Soi Baring).

Last year, the Iris Group booked revenue of Bt300 million from sales of Bt1.2 billion.

Hospitality training

Absolute Hotel Services, a hospitality-sector training company, has launched a new programme targeted at senior executives and department heads of properties earmarked for opening and relaunching.

CEO Jonathan Wigley said the economic slowdown and decline in inbound tourism posed a very challenging time for the hospitality industry. The new training is designed to equip participants with a greater ability to generate revenue, as this is the only sustainable cost-containment strategy.