Economy and commerce
Small and medium enterprises (SME)
2020 online trade set to hit B220bn
Thailand’s e-commerce, excluding business-to-business engagement, is expected to grow 35% to 220 billion baht in 2020, driven by the coronavirus outbreak, says Priceza, a price comparison shopping website.Meanwhile, the competition between social commerce and e-marketplaces is expected to intensify.“In the post-Covid-19 world, the online channel ...
Suchit Leesa-Nguansuk
SME debt scheme hampers loan access
The troubled debt restructuring (TDR) scheme offered to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was affected by subpar economic growth, a stumbling block for many firms in accessing additional lending as well as the central bank’s sponsored soft loans, says the head of the National Credit ...
Somruedi Banchongduang
Finance Ministry to launch Bt50 billion savings bonds
The Finance Ministry will raise Bt50 billion from sale of savings bonds to mitigate the Covid-19 impact on the economy and society. The bonds will be on sale from May 14 to June 10 this year.Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said that saving bonds were one ...
The Nation Reporter
Thai Chamber of Commerce mulls CPTPP
The Thai Chamber of Commerce is pondering whether to back a controversial proposal to have Thailand join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to boost international trade in the aftermath of Covid-19.The trade agreement involving a newly formed bloc of 11 Pacific ...
Phusadee Arunmas
Cross-border movement down 7.6%
Thailand’s cross-border trade fell by 7.6% year-on-year in the first quarter as the coronavirus hit the global economy and led bordering countries to close dozens of checkpoints.The Foreign Trade Department on Tuesday said the country’s overall cross-border trade, including transit trade, totalled 264.97 billion baht ...
Phusadee Arunmas
Govt economic stimuli, rising crude oil prices help SET bounce back
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,236.78 on Monday (April 13) marking an increase of 8.75 points or 0.71 per cent.Transactions were worth a total of Bt49.474 billion with an index high of 1,237.23 and a low of 1,220.00.A stock analyst at ...
The Nation Reporter
Thai stocks surge on easing virus cases, economic stimulus
Thai stocks surged as trading resumed after the Chakri Memorial Day holiday, boosted by rising optimism about a waning coronavirus outbreak and the government’s new economic stimulus.The benchmark SET Index rose 6.7% as of 4.58pm in Bangkok, poised for the highest gain since March 11. ...
Bangkok Post Reporter
Cross-border activity slips to start year
Thailand’s cross-border trade fell by 6.5% year-on-year in the first two months of 2020 as the spreading coronavirus snarled the global economy and logistics systems, particularly in southern China.The Foreign Trade Department on Tuesday said the country’s overall cross-border trade, including transit trade, totalled 171.31 ...
Phusadee Arunmas
Industry Ministry to suspend small firms' debts
The Industry Ministry plans to roll out rescue measures by suspending debt payments for 6-12 months for small community enterprises for several industries affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.The measure covers businesses in food, drinks, herbs, jewellery, souvenirs and clothing. Local producers can apply for debt ...
Lamonphet Apisitniran
Bank of Thailand expands liquidity support to more fund types
Thailand’s central bank said it has expanded the scope of a facility set up to provide liquidity to mutual funds and it will now encompass all types of money market funds as well as daily fixed income funds.The central bank is ready to consider additional ...