Thai-EU free trade talks set to resume after hiatus : Thailand is returning to the negotiating table for a Thai-European Union (EU) free-trade agreement (FTA) after the green light was given by the new government, according to Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department. Bangkok Post
Opinion poll gives thumbs up to FFP : Three Future Forward Party (FFP) MPs emerged as key players to watch following last week’s parliamentary debate on the government policy statement, according to an opinion poll. Bangkok Post
UTCC spots export drop for full year : Thai exports are forecast to contract for the first time in four years in 2019 amid mounting risk factors such as the global economic slowdown, the ongoing trade row between the US and China, the baht’s strength and volatile oil prices. Bangkok Post
Finance association says LTV curbs doing the job : The new loan-to-value (LTV) limits applied since April 1 should be continued as a new standard for mortgages because they have not affected real housing demand and can help reduce non-performing loans (NPLs), says the Housing Finance Association. Bangkok Post
Economy poised to grow at slower clip than BoT’s forecast : The economy is likely to expand at a slower pace than the Bank of Thailand’s 3.3% forecast for the year because of subdued exports and domestic consumption, adding to signs of a further projection rollback. Bangkok Post
Central Retail gears up for listing : Company to submit SET filings this year . Central Group, the country’s largest mall operator, is transforming a family retail business held for 72 years by the Chirathivat family and worth 240 billion baht into a listed company. Bangkok Post
South China Sea code takes shape : Asean and China have completed the first reading of the Single Draft Negotiating Text of the Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea ahead of schedule, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced yesterday. Bangkok Post
BoT asks for fewer high-DSR loans : Effort to curtail debt in vulnerable groups . The Bank of Thailand has requested banks and their subsidiaries reduce the ratio of new consumer loans extended to vulnerable groups with a high debtservice ratio (DSR) by at least 10% per quarter for four quarters, starting from the second quarter. Bangkok Post
Pompeo touts US-Asean ties : Secretary of State plays up bloc’s shared common values . US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pledged the United States’ unwavering support for the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific which was announced during the 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok in June. Bangkok Post
Private hospitals miss price reporting deadline, dept says : The Internal Trade Department will summon 48 private hospitals to explain why they failed to provide information about the actual costs of drugs, medical supplies and medical services by the submission deadline of July 31. Bangkok Post
