BeLuThai News€¦ · with the “Loy Kratong Festival” In Thai “Loy” means “to float” and “Krathong” stands for “a circular floating object with decoration of banana

Dear Members and Friends,

This is my first newsletter to you.

It has been a flying start with the Belgian Beer evening

at the Pullman Hotel with over 60 friends present.

A good opportunity for me to meet many of you. I am

sure, I will have the opportunity to meet all you at

some of our upcoming events.

As your new Executive Director, I would like to inform

you about my goals.

In the first place, I would like to continue to build the

BeLuThai on the excellent work Ann Peenen has done.

Grow the membership with Belgian and Luxembourg

companies in Thailand and also work hard on bringing

Thai companies with business connections to Belgium

and Luxembourg on board.

Expand our business services, organizing interesting

events and company visits are also high on the agenda.

We are pleased to announce that BeLuThai is co-

organizing the Economic Forum as part of the events

organized to celebrate the Thai-Belgian Friendship.

This Forum will take place on November 4 at the

Assumption University and you and your business

friends are all invited to attend. More information will

follow.

At the high tea following the Forum, we are honored

with the presence of Princess Marie-Esmeralda of

Belgium.

I sincerely look forward to working with all you and

developing BeLuThai further.

Best regards,

Philip Coates

Executive Director

Newsletter October 2015

2015

BeLuThai News

This newsletter at a glance:

Upcoming and Past Events

New members

Member news

Business News Thailand

Belgian-Luxembourg/Thai Chamber of Commerce

36/31 P.S.Tower 11th Floor, Sukhumvit 21 Road,

Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Email: [email protected]

Tel: +66 (0) 2 664 2944 Website: www.beluthai.org

Friday, October 16th: Eastern Seaboard

Networking Event@ Pattaya

Wednesday, October 21st: Myanmar Business Talk

Wednesday, November 4th: Thai-Belgian

Economic Forum

Wednesday, November 18th: Northern

Hemisphere Networking

Friday, November 20th: Eastern Seaboard

Networking Event@ Pattaya

Friday, December 18th: Eastern Seaboard

Networking Event@ Pattaya, hosted by BeLuThai

Joint Chambers Lunch Talk: ASEAN'S Mid-Year

Economic Review 2015

July 23rd, 2015

BeLuThai members were cordially invited you to a Joint

Chambers Lunch Talk: ASEAN'S Mid-Year Economic

Review 2015: "ASEAN Economic Community (AEC):

Illusion or Reality?" hosted by the European

Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) at

Renaissance Hotel Bangkok.

BeLuThai Untapped Series #1: "How to find, hire and

keep top talent in Thailand"

June 17th, 2015

Gerrit Bouckaert, Country Manager of Robert Walters

Thailand gave a talk on key market findings on talent

and useful tips to adjust talent acquisition strategy and

talent management approach. The event was followed

by a warm networking in Wishbeer Home Bar, a newly

opened café run by BeLuThai member.

Past Events

Upcoming Events

BeLuThai Newsletter October 2015 Page 2

Welcome Back Beer 2015

September 2nd, 2015

Upon welcoming members back to work from holidays, the Welcome Back 2015 was also an opportunity to

welcome BeLuThai’s new Executive Director, Philip Coates. Special thanks goes to Brewberry and PDI Pagaeng

for sponsoring the Beer and food in that special night.


Past Events

Corporate member:

Full Advantage Co., Ltd.

Full Advantage Co., Ltd. is a regional Project Developer

and Consulting Company in the field of Energy and

Environment. There are three main business activities:

Advisory and Consulting, Business/Project

Development and Climate Change Activities.

Individual members:

Ann Peenen

Anneke Leysen

Energy Minister awards Cofely Thailand with the

Excellent ESCO Award for the 3rd consecutive

year

For the 3rd year in a row, Cofely Thailand has won the

Excellent ESCO Award, an initiative from the

Department of Alternative Energy Development and

Representative:

Ludovic Lacrosse

Efficiency, in collaboration with

The Institute of Industrial Energy.

The purpose is to reward leading

Energy Service Companies (ESCO)

for their successful

implementation of energy

efficiency performance

contracts, demonstrating

outstanding benefits for their

clients and the country.

Cofely puts Energy Efficiency at the heart of its

business by offering a unique combination of expertise

closely geared to companies and local authorities’

needs, promoting rational use of energy and respect

for the environment.

The award was presented by Thailand’s Minister of

Energy, Mr. Narongchai Akrasanee,

at the Queen Sirikit National

Convention Center.

New Members

Members’ news…


PDI to receive multiple awards

Shortlisted for outstanding sustainability performance by the Stock Exchange of Thailand

Padaeng Industry Public Company Limited (PDI) headed by Mr. Francis Vanbellen, Managing Director discussed its sustainability performance with the Sustainability Awards 2015 commission, at the Stock Exchange of Thailand on August 26, 2015. In October 2015 PDI will be proclaimed by SET as one of 50 listed companies, recognized for their outstanding sustainability performance in areas covering economy, society and environment and recommended for investors.

PDI already received the CSR Recognition Awards for two consecutive years from SET for “Rising

Star” in 2013 and

“Most improved CSR” in 2014.

EGAT trophy for achieving electricity saving target

On August 5th, 2015, Padaeng Industry Public Company Limited (PDI) received the Demand Response (DR) project trophy together with 1 million Baht, from EGAT (the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand). PDI’s Tak Plant had significantly reduced its electricity consumption during the month of April, without causing any impact to its operations.

Outstanding occupational safety and health award, for the 8th consecutive year

Padaeng Industry Public Company Limited or PDI, the Tak plant and he Mae Sod mine in the Tak province, have achieved the awards for outstanding occupational safety and health at work in 2015 for the eighth consecutive year from the Ministry of Labor. Mr. Manoch Jaroonvuthitham, Executive Vice President - Tak Operations, received the award from General Surasak Karnjanarat, Labor Minister, during the 29th National Safety Week.

Members’ news…


It gives us great pleasure to inform you that as of the

4th August 2015, the Grand Millennium Sukhumvit

Bangkok has joined Accor’s upscale portfolio under the

Pullman brand and be known as Pullman Bangkok

Grande Sukhumvit.

Located in the heart of Sukhumvit and Bangkok’s

vibrant city centre, the stylish Pullman Bangkok Grande

Sukhumvit provides upscale services adapted for the

sophisticated traveller. Access to Bangkok’s transport

hubs and the city’s must see sights are all on your

doorstep. A striking, sail-shaped, glass façade

punctuates the central Sukhumvit skyline, where

business and high-end leisure meet.

High end audio and visual equipment and well-planned

interiors make the 2 ballrooms and 9 meeting rooms

the perfect venue for meetings, conferences, special

events and wedding banquets. Spread over 2,000

square meters, the facilities are supported by a team

of dedicated professionals who pay attention to the

little things that matter to ensure that your event runs

smoothly.

High Season Launch at Sunsuri Phuket

with the “Loy Kratong Festival”

In Thai “Loy” means “to float” and

“Krathong” stands for “a circular

floating object with decoration of

banana leaves, flowers, a candle

and incense sticks”. Mainly couples

look forward to going out and

launch their Krathongs together

while pondering about their

romantic future by the direction the

Krathongs float. This festival is also

good for strengthening

relationships within families.

Celebrate Loy Krathong at Sunsuri Phuket with a

delicious Thai dinner and Classic Thai music. Then

proceed to Nai Harn Lake escorted by a Long Drum and

float your Krathong on the lake among the local

population to celebrate the festival.

For further information or reservation, please contact:

[email protected]

Tel: +66 76 336 400

www.sunsuri-phuket.com

Members’ news…


http://www.sunsuri-phuket.com/

Solvay inaugurates South-East

Asia’s largest sodium

bicarbonate plant

Solvay, the Brussels-based chemical giant, has

inaugurated Southeast Asia's largest sodium

bicarbonate plant in Thailand as the first step in its plan

to aggressively expand in Asia. H.E. Marc Michielsen,

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Thailand,

recently presided over the open ceremony of Solvay’s

largest sodium bicarbonate plant in South-East Asia at

Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong province.

Investing € 20 million (about 800 million Baht) in this

plant, Solvay aimed to meet growing demand for high-

quality products, in healthcare, food and other

consumer goods markets throughout Asia with an

annual production capacity of 100,000 tons. The open

ceremony was joined by numerous honorable guests,

representatives from Thailand governor authorities,

companies and business partners.

Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien

Hotel Successfully Orchestrates a Surge in

Funds for UNICEF Children’s Programs

Bangkok 2015, UNICEF Charity Auction and Fun for

Funds Bowling Competition organized by Plaza

Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel has resulted

a total funds raised of THB 1,189,000. These funds will

go to support UNICEF’S children’s education program.

For more than 17 years, Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A

Royal Méridien Hotel’s parent company, Starwood

Hotels & Resorts, with help of its guests and associates

around the world have raised more than USD 30

million for UNICEF. Funds raised through ‘UNICEF

Check Out for Children’ and ‘Run for Children’ go

towards UNICEF’s Education Program to ensure every

child around the world can access quality education

through various initiatives to improve school facilities,

train teachers and supply school equipment as well as

campaigning to ensure children stay at school.

The initiatives of UNICEF Charity Auction and Fun for

Funds Bowling Competition received resoundingly

supports from both the Thai community and

philanthropists around the globe. 45 Starwood hotels

and resorts have contributed highly desirable

accommodation prizes for the fund raising auction. The

highest bidders for each lot in the auction won well-

priced stays in luxury hotels in some of the world’s

most exciting destinations, including: Vienna, Austria;

Angkor, Cambodia; Tokyo, Japan; Samui Island,

Thailand, and several more.

Members’ news…


The Thai-Belgian

Friendship Celebrations

This project, which is a series of

events, will take place early

November 2015.

The aim of the project is to emphasize the long lasting

good relationship between Thailand and Belgium, the

friendship between the Royal Family of Thailand and

the Royal Family of Belgium, as well as to help the

society with a charity aspect.

The main events will be:

- The Exhibition of the Royal Visits, 1st to 8th

November, with the opening ceremony

honored by the presence of HRH Princess

Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Siam Paragon,

Lifestyle Hall.

- The Thai-Belgian Friendship Commemorative

Brooches Charity Gala Dinner, honored by the

presence of HRH Princess Marie-Esmeralda of

Belgium and HRH Princess Saomsawali, on the

3rd of November at Plaza Athenee Bangkok.

- The Economic Forum, organized in

collaboration with Beluthai at Assumption

University, Martin de Tours School of

Management and Economics, ABAC

Suvarnabhumi Campus, on the 4th of

November.

- The Economic Forum will end with a High Tea,

followed by the Leaders' Dinner, presided over

by HRH Princess Marie-Esmeralda.

- The Leaders' Dinner, on the 4th of November,

at Assumption Universtity, Suvarnabhumi

Campus, in the presence of HRH Princess

Esmeralda.

- The Thai-Belgian Bridge Chocolate Exhibition,

5th to 8th November, at Siam Paragon, second

floor. The opening of the exhibition will be

attended by HRH Princess Marie-Esmeralda.

- The Royal Portraits Cocktail Party, 9th of

November at Plaza Athenee Bangkok.

Besides these events, the Thai-Belgian Friendship will

also be highly visible, thanks to the wrapping of one

BTS Skytrain. The Skytrain will run around Bangkok,

with its Thai-Belgian colors and the logos of the

partners of the project, the whole month of November.

The preparation of the Thai-Belgian Friendship

Celebrations has been a real team effort, with many

people and companies joining hands to make it happen

successfully.

While the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij is the

official organizer, nothing could have been done

without the numerous partners who came, not only

with support, but also suggestions and ideas to make

these celebrations unforgettable.

November will be a very special month, during which

the Friendship between Thailand and Belgium will be

the main theme. But the project is also about

emphasizing the everlasting good relationship in doing

business between Thai and Belgian companies.

ABAC University has been selected as the venue of the

Forum because of its strong bonds with the Belgian

Monarchy.

King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visited this

marvelous, and sometimes surprising, university,

which made it the best possible venue for such an

event.

We hope that many members of Beluthai will join the

Economic Forum in order to share this exceptional

moment together.

Members’ news…


Politics

Wissanu outlines timeline set for lead-up to 2017

general election The next general election is expected

to be held by June 2017, after formation of a new

constitution drafting committee (CDC) early next

month, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam

said. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the new

draft charter should be based on the previous one

rejected by the National Reform Council (NRC).

Foreign chambers see continued political stability

after charter rejection The foreign business

community in Thailand has expressed optimism that

political stability will continue despite the National

Reform Council's rejection of the constitution draft.

Stanley Kang, chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers

of Commerce in Thailand, said the chambers believed

that there was no immediate cause of concern

regarding the Kingdom's political situation.

Investment

Finance Ministry weighs incentives The finance

ministry’s incentives will be provided to industries

considered essential to driving the country into a new

S-shaped growth curve and steering the Thai economy

through its slowdown, Mr Apisak said, adding that the

proposed privileges would be separate from those

provided by the Board of Investment. Tax and non-tax

incentives for investment in high-potential industries

will be finalised.

Finance Ministry mulls infrastructure fund options

The Finance Ministry plans to use an infrastructure

fund to finance capital-intensive infrastructure

investments. There are two alternatives for the

proposed fund-raising through infrastructure funds -

setting up a fund for each project or launching only one

fund into which all the projects are pooled, Finance

Minister He said the advantage of pooling all the

projects into one infrastructure fund was that its size

would be large enough to attract foreign investors. The

Finance Ministry is working out the details of the

infrastructure fund, Mr Apisak said. To make the

infrastructure fund appealing to long-term investors,

the Finance Ministry may need to seek supportive

measures such as rating the fund to pave the way for

investment by insurance companies.

Trade

Prajin airs doubts over 4G auction Deputy Prime

Minister Prajin Juntong has voiced strong opposition to

the telecom regulator's original plan to auction 25

megahertz of bandwidth on the 1800-MHz spectrum,

saying it may not maximise benefits for the industry.

His concern signals a strong inclination to sell 30 MHz

on the 1800-MHz spectrum at the 4G auction

scheduled for Nov 11. But ACM Prajin said he

supported the National Broadcasting and

Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in

proceeding with the 1800-MHz auction in November

and the 900-MHz auction on Dec 15.

Ministry promises digital economy roadmap soon The

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Ministry plans to introduce a national digital economy

master plan by year-end for use as a framework in

developing the digital economy. The ICT minister is also

joining with the Federation of Thai Industries and Intel

Microelectronics (Thailand) to provide free

entrepreneurship courses. These will be aimed at

increasing the number of entrepreneurs and

encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises

(SMEs) to use digital technology to conduct their

business.

Ministry sets six strategies to spur exports The

Commerce Ministry has unveiled six strategies to

support sustainable export growth. The strategies

focus on cross-border trade, creating industrial

clusters, prioritising markets for roadshow missions

and solving trade obstacles, increasing human-

resource efficiency, increasing trade fairs' efficiency,

and reaping the benefits from the rise of e-commerce.

Business News in Thailand


1. To drive cross-border trade and expand exports to

nearby countries with strong economic growth such as

China and India. All involved government agencies and

private enterprises will be linked to support the

expansion of international trade.

2. To set up business or industry clusters to support

trade in goods as well as by-products and services.

3. To prioritise roadshow missions to promote trade

and investment overseas, as well as urgently solve

trade obstacles and negotiate free-trade pacts.

4. To improve human-resource efficiency by

encouraging Thai trade officers overseas to be real

marketers.

5. To enhance the efficiency of trade fairs to reach

targeted consumers in each market.

6. To benefit from the popularity of e-commerce by

promoting Thai export products and support small and

medium-sized enterprises.

Energy

PTT board OKs wave of new postings National oil and

gas firm PTT Plc has appointed new senior executives

to replace those retiring at the end of the year.

Nuttachat Charuchinda, chief operating officer for

upstream petroleum and gas business, will be replaced

by Pitipan Tepartimargorn, senior executive vice-

president for human resources.

Surong Bulakul, chief operating officer for

infrastructure, will be replaced by Chavalit Punthong,

senior executive vice-president for oil business.

Auttapol Rerkpibook, senior executive vice-president

for sustainability management and project

engineering, will take Mr Chavalit's old post.

Charcrie Buranakanonda, senior executive vice-

president for gas business, will be replaced by

Noppadol Pinsupa, president of Global Power Synergy

Plc (GPSC), a power business arm of PTT.

Sarakorn Kulatham, senior executive vice-president for

petrochemicals and refining business, will be replaced

by Chansin Treenuchagron, senior executive vice-

president for corporate strategy.

The post vacated by Mr Chansin will be filled by Sriwan

Eamrungroj, currently executive vice-president for

marketing, commercial and supply at PTT Global

Chemical Plc.

The open chief executive slot at PTT Exploration and

Production Plc (PTTEP) — Tevin Vongvanich left to take

the reins of the parent firm — will be filled by Somporn

Vongvuthipornchai, executive vice-president for

strategy and business development.

AEC

Thai hub for AEC operators suggested THAILAND can

be a hub within the Asean Economic Community (AEC)

for retailers and other business operators from the

Philippines and other Asean member countries to set

up regional headquarters and better penetrate the

market on a regional scale, especially in CLMV

(Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) markets,

according to experts. Samie Lim, chairman emeritus of

the Philippine Retailers Association, said retailing was

now the region's leading revenue generator in the

tourism sector, overtaking the contributions from

airlines and hotels.

Taxation

Stimulus 2 draws positive response The Federation of

Thai industries (FTI) has welcomed the Bt206-billion

second phase of the Council of Economic Ministers'

economic stimulus package, which is aimed at

supporting small and medium-sized enterprises

(SMEs). He believes it could increase SMEs' liquidity

and boost the number of new start-ups. The package

also includes tax measures to cut SMEs' corporate

income tax from 15 per cent to 10 per cent for those

with a net profit of Bt300,000 to Bt3 million for two

accounting periods, while SMEs which have to pay 20

per cent will have the rate cut to 10 per cent for the

same period.



More information, please click here.

BoI offers more tax exemption In another bid to boost the economy, the Board of Investment (BoI) has

increased corporate income tax exemptions by up to two years for investment projects that can begin

operations by the end of 2017. Secretary-General of the BoI, said the investment board agreed to introduce

measures to hasten investment projects and stimulate economic growth by offering additional tax exemptions

to investors who submitted projects between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 and can commence

production or service provisioning by the end of 2017. Hiranya said the measures approved by the BoI could be

implemented shortly and could be adjusted when the new BoI law comes into effect.

@The Nation - @ Bangkok Post - @ Prachachart Thurakij -@ Bangkok Biz News

The Business News Section in this newsletter is brought to you in cooperation with our Premium Member Solvay

Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.



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BeLuThai News€¦ · with the “Loy Kratong Festival” In Thai “Loy” means “to float” and “Krathong” stands for “a circular floating object with decoration of banana

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