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Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai insisted yesterday that the rice auction was corruption-free, thanks to scrutiny by various agencies including the PM's Office, and that no rice traders were asked to pay upfront fees to enter a bid.

Asking for over 1 million tonnes each are Singtothong Rice Corp, Vuthikavee, Chaiyaporn Rice and Food Products and Capital Cereals. They quoted Bt13,000-Bt14,600 for the 2008/09 crop.

An industry source said the sale may collapse as politicians back different companies, and they may clash.

Toyota rehiring

Toyota Motor Thailand has called 500 subcontract staff back to work on June 1, as it will reintroduce two production shifts to meet the rising demand for passenger cars.

Senior vice president Wichien Emprasertsuk said yesterday that due to capacity cuts, sales of passenger cars have dropped as buyers on the waiting list switch to other makers. Toyota has laid off 2,000 subcontract workers since late last year.

Skytrain contract

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration yesterday awarded a Bt850 million, three-year contract to its subsidiary Krungthep Thanakom to manage the Skytrain's extension from Saphan Taksin station to Thon Buri.

Krungthep Thanakom will procure a ticketing system and prepare the train operation system and staff, while Bangkok Mass Transit System will be hired to operate the service.

EX-IM liquidity move

The Export-Import Bank of Thailand, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank and Small Credit Guarantee Corp yesterday joined with 23 trade associations to help address exporters' liquidity shortages.

The Commerce and Finance ministries will also discuss the proposed blue corner tax, which would guarantee higher tax rebates for imports to be used in export-oriented production. To help exporters, the Commerce Ministry's logistics committee is also prepared to present four measures involving reductions in customs fees, container-loading fees and truck tolls.

Best Thai CEO

Thai Beverage CEO Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi was voted as Thailand's Best CEO by 238 investors and analysts across Asia, followed by Kan Trakulhoon from Siam Cement and Chanin Vongkusolkit from Banpu.

In the ninth annual poll by FinanceAsia.com, Advanced Info Service was Thailand's best-managed company while Siam Cement was voted as the best in corporate social responsibility.

 

Broker's new name

Adkinson Securities yesterday said its name would change to Country Group Securities on June 1, and its logo would be replaced with a new one. - The Nation