The Minister of Transport confirms progress of rail projects. The contracts for the Pink and Yellow lines are expected to be signed in April. Three more lines (south-bound Purple, eastbound Orange, and Bangkhae-Budhamonthon Blue) worth Bt237bn will be submitted to the cabinet for approval in June. (Kao Hoon, 05/04/17)
The State Railway of Thailand board will revoke the 5 dual-track bidding tomorrow. It will release the new TOR for the Hua Hin-Prachuap Khiri Khan project within next week. (Kao Hoon, 05/04/17)
GSB builds up Bt50 bn war chest to support loan needs. GOVERNMENT Savings Bank (GSB) will mobilise Bt50 billion in the next three months to cope with the scale of lending required to help fund mega-projects under the government’s infrastructure drive, while reaffirming its target for new loan growth of 3 per cent this year. (The Nation, 5/4/17)
Cabinet approves Egat investment in Bang Pakong power plant. THE CABINET yesterday gave its approval for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to invest Bt33.94 billion to build a new power plant in Chachoengsao’s Bang Pakong district to ensure a stable and adequate power supply in Bangkok and its vicinity. (The Nation, 5/4/17)
MRTA and BEM signed contract for electric rail services on Hua Lamphong – Bang Khae and Bang Sue- Tha Phra extension. This is expected to operate in 2019. Somkid will be sending the proposals for the Pink and Yellow lines to cabinet this month. (Siam Rath, 31/3/17)
Fed could pause rate hikes when it begins to shed bonds –Bullard. The Federal Reserve could pause interest rate hikes when it begins shedding its bond holdings, a move that would have little effect on financial markets, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Friday. (Reuters, 31/3/17 )
China factory activity expands in March, but pace slows, Caixin PMI shows. Activity at China’s factories expanded for a ninth straight month in March but at a softer pace as new export orders slowed, a private survey showed, raising questions about whether a recent pickup in global demand is losing steam. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ index (PMI) fell to 51.2 in March, missing economist forecasts’ of 51.6 and down from February’s 51.7. (Reuters, 31/3/17)
China March service sector growth fastest in nearly 3 years-official PMI. Growth in China’s services sector accelerated in March at the fastest pace in nearly three years, an official survey showed on Friday. The official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 55.1, compared with the previous month’s reading of 54.2, and well above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. (Reuters, 31/3/17)
China March official manufacturing PMI rises to 51.8, beats forecasts. Activity in China’s manufacturing sector expanded at a faster pace than expected in March, adding to evidence that the world’s second-largest economy is gaining momentum early in the year, an official survey showed on Friday. The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.8 in March, compared with the previous month’s 51.6. (Reuters, 31/3/17)
Eurozone Feb retail sales rise as shoppers splurge on clothing. Retail sales in the 19 countries sharing the euro increased by 0.7 percent in February from January, the European Union’s statistics office Eurostat said on Tuesday, more than the average market expectation of a 0.5 percent rise. (Nasdaq, 5/4/17)
