Prayut, Ismail set $30bn trade target: Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to target bilateral trade of US$30 billion (973.5 billion baht) by 2025. Bangkok Post
Bid to shift EVs into overdrive: While most business leaders welcome the state’s latest package to spur EV production and adoption, not everyone is fully on board. The government’s multi-billion-baht package to help electric vehicles (EVs) gain ground in the automotive market is being scrutinised as to whether it will become a powerful new economic driver, with benefits shared across society. Bangkok Post
TH FY22 GDP may fall short of 3-4.5% target set by Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking as inflation from high energy cost, global supply chains disruption from heavy industries in EU, lower travelers from Russia where TH logged 1.5m visitors a year pre-pandemic, according to the FTI.
Labour market recovers in Q4 of 2021: The overall labour situation began to recover from the impact of Covid-19 in the final quarter of 2021, with the unemployment rate dropping to the lowest since the second quarter of 2020, while household debt still increased but at a slower pace. Bangkok Post
Government’s expected to introduce econ measures to mitigate the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – especially its impact on global energy price – after the cabinet meets later today.
The BOT’s concerned about inflation because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but believes the econ will continue to recover this year.
India bubble gets all-clear: The cabinet has approved an air travel bubble with India which is expected to commence later this month, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said yesterday. Bangkok Post
TNSC cuts Q2 export growth forecast to zero: A group of Thai shippers cut its export growth forecast in the second quarter to zero from 5% earlier, blaming the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine and global financial market volatility following Western sanctions imposed on Russia. Bangkok Post
Positive factors propel export growth: Thai exports are maintaining their growth momentum, expanding 8% year-on-year in January thanks to the global economic recovery, an easing of the container shortage and promotions by authorities. Bangkok Post
SEC tightens custodial rules for digital assets: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed tighter rules on the custody of clients’ assets in digital asset businesses to protect investors against misappropriation of assets as well as fraud. Bangkok Post Ministry mulls extending anti-dumping measure: The Commerce Ministry approved yesterday a review of the extension of an anti-dumping duty on metal sheets imported from Vietnam. Bangkok Post
