e-UPDATE, 30 January 2017

GTCC e-UPDATE: 30 January 2017

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Upcoming GTCC Events Register now for our upcoming events: 04.02.2017 SHOM 2017 Charity Dinner: Music for A Better World 09.02.2017 GTCC Site Visit 1/2017: Fabrinet Co., Ltd. Thailand Economic Factsheet 09.02.2017 GTCC Stammtisch Bangkok @ Bei Otto 15.02.2017 Joint Chamber Seminar: Grant Thornton: Women in Leadership 17.02.2017 GTCC Eastern Seaboard Seminar "Labour Affairs Matter – How to Avoid Labour Disputes in Thailand" 17.02.2017 GTCC Eastern Seaboard Stammtisch

Update Magazine

Q1/2017: INFRASTRUCTURE

Economy Thai economic outlook in 2017 by SCB SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) assesses that the Thai economy in 2017 will rely on domestic spending. The government spending will also increase on the back of infrastructure mega-project expansion. The budget for public investment projects in 2017 is expected to double in size compared to the prior year. Thai economy will also benefit from the continued government’s efforts to use stimulus measures. EIC expects household domestic spending and public investment expansion to be key growth engines for the Thai economy to expand at 3.3%YOY in 2017. (EIC Outlook Quarter 1/2017) More EEC waste management pored over A plan is in the works to deal with toxic waste and environmental management in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which the government aims to promote as a special economic zone in the coming years. (Bangkok, 30/01/2017) More FTA fund approves manufacturing and agriculture aid projects The FTA fund has approved eight projects to help assist the manufacturing and agricultural sectors affected from the new free trade markets during the 2017 fiscal year, says an official. The projects will cover agricultural produces, diary cattle, service sector, tourism and transportation. (NNT,29/01/2017) More Business urged to help bolster smart city development The government is urging businesses in major provinces to form city development companies to manage assets and embrace innovation, paving the way to become smart cities in the future. The government is urging businesses in major provinces to form city development companies to manage assets and embrace innovation, paving the way to become smart cities in the future.(27/01/2017) More

Feature: Thailand plans massive investment in transport infrastructure; Fueling growth: Government spending on infrastructure spearheads economic recovery; Thai ICT infrastructure: Key enabler for industry and “Thai Digital Nation”; Interview: Mr. Kevin Burrel, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, Thailand Cluster, on Thailand as ASEAN’s transportation HUB; ThaiGerman Joint Declaration of Intent on co-operation in railways; Joint Chamber luncheon with the Thai Prime Minister; Dual vocational training delegation visit to Germany // Business Brief // Chamber Activities // GTDEE Insights // Trade Fairs // Members' Corner

German-ASEAN Business Council Quarterly Newsletter

- December 2016 - September 2016

BoT predicts more balanced recovery A broader-based recovery is expected this year from stronger agricultural and export sectors and more government spending in provincial areas. (Bangkok Post, 27/01/2017) More Export value rises first time in 4 years in 2016 Export value last year increased for the first time in four years, by 0.45 per cent to US$215.32 billion (Bt7.54 trillion), thanks mainly to rising global oil prices and strong economic growth in many countries, the Commerce Ministry reported.

(The Nation, 25/01/2017) More Tax incentives planned for digital park The government plans to offer enhanced tax incentives for startup companies and global technology firms that establish a presence in Thailand's first digital innovation park. (Bangkok Post, 19/01/2017) More Survey finds 2017 optimism improving Confidence in this year's continued economic growth has risen, according to the latest survey by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the National Institute

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of Development Administration (Nida). (Bangkok Post, 18/01/2017) More TCC backs refocus to ASEAN markets AMID CONCERNS over the uncertain status of the European Union and unpredictable trade policies of the incoming US administration of Donald Trump, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) agrees with the government’s plan to deepen trading in Asia, particularly ASEAN markets. (The Nation, 18/01/2017) More Two ministries to integrate work on SMEs To increase efficiency in the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises and to reduce duplication, the Commerce and Industry ministries have agreed to integrate their work on SME promotion plans and funding. (The Nation, 17/01/2017) More BOI launches e-Investment promotion, effective on 1 January 2017 Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has developed an online service (eInvestment promotion) to support the online submission of applications for investment promotion. Starting on 1 January 2017, all applications for investment promotion must be submitted via the e-Investment promotion system. Applicants can submit the form online at website: http://einvestment.boi.go.th

iCamp Thailand is offering GTCC members a 10% discount for camp programmes from now until 12 March 2017. Get the kids unplugged this school break, and let them live, learn, play with the best!

Glossary AEC

ASEAN Economic Community

BOI

Board of Investment

BOT

Bank of Thailand

CCI

Consumer Confidence Index

CPI

Consumer Price Index

CLMV

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

CPF

Charoen Pokphand Foods

CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility

Fintech

Financial Technology

FTI

Federation of Thai Industries

GDP

Gross domestic product

IPO

Initial public offering

MoU

Memorandum of Understanding

NPL

Non-performing loan

GTAI News Thailand startet ins digitale Zeitalter Thailand forciert die Entwicklung seiner digitalen Ökonomie. Ein neu gestaltetes "Ministerium für digitale Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft" soll für mehr Effizienz und eine bessere Fokussierung auf neue digitale Marktkräfte sorgen. Ein halbes Dutzend zentraler IT-Aktivitäten wird mit Investitionsanreizen gefördert. Die Resonanz in der privaten Wirtschaft wächst, was sich mit 143 digitalen Projekten im Wert von 44 Mio. US$ bis Oktober 2016 auch in den ausländischen Investitionen widerspiegelt. (GTAI Bangkok, 20/01/2017) More

Companies & Industrial Sectors Industry Ministry working with Japan to setup online platform for SMEs The Ministry of Industry is looking into applying Japan’s online SME format to Thai small and medium enterprise, targeting 1,000 businesses in the first phase set to kick off in the second quarter of this year. The Industry Minister also has signed an agreement to establish an industrial development network between the Department of Industrial Promotion and the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (SMRJ).(NNT, 30/01/2017) More Thaicom proposes joint-venture broadband satellite deal with CAT Satellite operator Thaicom has approached state agency CAT Telecom to set up a 70:30 joint venture to develop the planned Thaicom 9 broadband satellite to serve bandwidth demand by state agencies. The joint venture plan is part in the company’s multi-pronged proposal submitted to the Ministry of the Digital Economy and Society recently for the ministry’s consideration as part of the ministry’s plan to reform the satellite service industry. The ministry will submit Thaicom’s proposal to the National Space Affairs Committee for its consideration this month. (The Nation, 30 January 2017) More Jack Ma's Ant buys America's MoneyGram Ant Financial, the technology company controlled by billionaire Jack Ma, stepped up its international expansion by buying US money-transfer service MoneyGram International Inc. (Bangkok Post, 27/01/2017) More Big-ticket infrastructure projects get PPP go-ahead Seven big-ticket infrastructure projects worth 712 billion baht under the publicprivate partnership programme are set to start this year after they were endorsed by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee yesterday.

(Bangkok Post, 26/01/2017) More

OIE

Office of Industrial Economics

PPP

Public-Private Partnership

PHEV

Hybrid electric vehicles

R&D

Research and Development

SME

Small and medium-sized enterprises

TAT

Tourism Authority of Thailand

drinktec 2017 Press Conference

Date: Monday, 27 February 2017 Time: 10.30-13.00 hrs.

Venue: Rajadamri I Room, The St. Regis Bangkok Hotel (map) For more information on the press conference, please contact Ms. Kamolchanok at Tel: 02 670 0600 ext. 4004 or Email: kamolchanok@gtcc.org.

GTCC Business & Study Trip to Germany

Meister Technik chosen to be official Audi distributor German carmaker Audi AG has appointed Meister Technik Co, owned by the Lamsam family, to be the authorised importer and distributor of Audi in Thailand, replacing German Motor Work Co, which is run by the Leenutaphong family.

(Bangkok Post, 26/01/2017) More Digital marketing to flourish Digital marketing opportunities in Thailand can expect to reach US 41 billion over the next few years, given the gap between digital communication consumption and spending. (Bangkok Post, 25/01/2017) More fintech sector calls for state support The Thai FinTech Association has called on the government to increase its support for local tech startups and financial institutions to enhance their competitiveness and prevent foreign giants from monopolizing the fintech market. (Bangkok Post, 25/01/2017) More 15% surge expected in construction Thai The construction market looks set to surge by more than 15 per cent to Bt1.2 trillion this year in the fastest expansion since 1993, the year, supported by the

"Integrated Industry/Industrial Automation/Smart Factory" by visiting HANNOVER MESSE 2017 and Exclusive Site Visits 22-30 April 2017 (9 days 6 nights).

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government’s spending on infrastructure. (The Nation, 25/01/2017) More CP Group eyes healthcare arena Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) is looking into a foray into the healthcare and medical-centre businesses, with the focus on expatriates and other foreigners as potential customers. CP is also expected to appoint Suphachai, 49, as its new CEO in the middle of this year. He will replace his father, the tycoon Dhanin, 76, who is now CP Group’s CEO and chairman. (The Nation, 20/01/2017) More Experts downplay talk of a property bubble Thailand's property market is far from being a bubble, although prices, particularly for the condominium segment, have risen significantly in the last few years, say multiple experts. (Bangkok Post, 17/01/2017) More DTAC 4G campaign targets mass market Second-ranked mobile operator Total Access Communication (DTAC) is adopting a mass-marketing approach as its strives to rebuild customers' perceptions of the company and its quality of service. (Bangkok Post, 17/01/2017) More

For more information and registration, please contact Ms. Kamolchanok Nantaburom at Tel: 02 670 0600 ext. 4004 or Email: kamolchanok@gtcc.org by Friday 10 March 2017.

Exclusive business briefing by the German Business Group in Cambodia

Date: 16 February 2017 Time: 8AM – 11AM (Registration 7.30AM) Venue: Hotel Intercontinental, Phnom Penh The event follows the 2017 Cambodia International Business Summit on 15 February>>More

Biomass and Residue to Power Conferences: 15 February 2017

Thailand and ASEAN Thailand looks to promote ASEAN yacht-based tourism The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) has proposed the promotion of yacht-based tourism in the ASEAN region during an ASEAN Tourism Forum.

(NNT, 19/01/2017) More

>>More

BMWi promotes start ups on 58 German fairs in 2017

Green Technology GPSC begins solar power operations SET-listed Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC), an electricity and utility producer under PTT Group, has started its solar power project after being awarded rights to operate a solar farm for local agricultural cooperatives by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). (Bangkok Post, 18/01/2017) More Nissan Note launch fuels eco-car drive Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Thailand looks set to step into the second phase of its eco-car production scheme after its all-new Nissan Note debuted on 17 January 2017. (Bangkok Post, 18/01/2017) More

The German trade fair organizers plan, on current status, the participation of young and innovative companies on 58 international trade fairs in Germany in 2017; the exhibitors on respective common booths are financially supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. >> More (in German)

Register now: Sustainable Energy & Technology Asia SETA 2017

Date: 8-10 March 2017

Bilateral Business Continental to build Rayong plant Continental AG has chosen Rayong to build a greenfield tyre plant for passenger cars, promising investment of â‚Ź250 million (9.46 billion baht) and 900 new jobs. (Bangkok Post, 27/01/2017) More

SETA is Asia’s premier sustainable energy and technology platform that brings together leaders from the public, private, civic and academic sectors to showcase and promote new technology in energy. The event is co-organised by the Ministry of Energy of Thailand and Chulalongkorn University, and endorsed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand and Ministry of Transport of Thailand and Ministry of Industry of Thailand .

For further information please contact the followings.

Email : secretariat@seta.asia Tel. +66 88 242 2929 Website: www.seta.asia

Legal / HR / CSR

Festival of the Germans

Ministry of Public Health considering revamping healthcare for foreign laborers The Ministry of Public Health is considering revamping its health insurance and medical check-up regulations for foreign workers after finding most have not sought out the services. Even though the country provides health services to 1.5 million laborers from Myanmar, Lao and Cambodia annually, the number is much lower than the actual amount of foreign workers in the Kingdom.

(NNT,30/01/2017) More Thailand and Germany cerebrate 60 years of cooperation on sustainable development Thailand and Germany have celebrated 60 years of bilateral cooperation on sustainable development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over the past six decades, the two countries have jointly implemented more than 300 development projects in the fields of agriculture and food safety; climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy; economic development and employment; the environment and natural resources; urban and industrial development; and good governance. (NNT, 18/01/2017) More 11 March 2017 Deutsch / English

Contact Person

Member News Relocation: Continental Automotive Thailand's Office in Bangkok

After 30 January 2017, the administrative office of the Continental Automotive (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is located on 16th Floor, G Tower, South Wing, 9 Rama 9 Road Huaykwang, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand . Phone: +66 2 2321888 (main Line) / Fax: +66 2 232-1889 Umicore inaugurates new manufacturing facility for automotive catalysts in Thailand On 17 January 2017, the materials technology and recycling group Umicore officially opened its new production plant for emission control catalysts in Rayong, Thailand. The plant produces automotive catalysts for gasoline and diesel light duty vehicles, serving customers in Southeast Asia. More than 100 attendees, including Umicore executives, employees, customers and representatives of the local authorities celebrated the official opening of the new plant. More

Chadaphan Maliphan Publication and Communication Manager Tel: +66 2 670 0600 ext 2005 Email: chadaphan@gtcc.org

WELCOME TO GTCC COMMUNITY! New Applications Approved in January Board Meeting Modena by Fraser Bangkok Chamber Representatives Khun Thawee Kugasemrat and Khun Narawut Chuaykerd Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park Chamber Representatives Mr. Roger Parnow and Ms. Melanie Schilling Majorette Thailand Co., Ltd. Chamber Representatives Khun Adisorn Laohavanich and Mr. Markus Erwin Mangold Rabbit Internet Co., Ltd. Chamber Representatives Mr. Michael Steibl and Mr. Johannes von Rohr United Relocations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Chamber Representatives Mr. Stein A. Krakholm and Mr. Michael Wucherer

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