MoF to submit a draft bill to setup National Credit Guarantee Agency (NaCGA) to cabinet by end of month as part of a plan to improve lending access for SMEs, offering direct credit guarantee for loans after assessing risks and will use risk-based pricing.
PM stokes hopes on economy: Paetongtarn says focus on investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra yesterday expressed confidence Thailand’s economy, despite last year’s 2.5% growth, can still grow exponentially with more than 1.13 trillion baht having already been invested by foreign companies in Thailand, the highest level in the past decade, and more to come. Bangkok Post
Rift tests coalition unity: Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai alliance ‘likely’ to survive despite conflicts. Relations between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and coalition partner Bhumjaithai have come under strain from time to time. Bangkok Post
Positive signals: The central bank’s recent rate cut and a production index indicate an upside for the beaten-down manufacturing sector. The local manufacturing sector is expected to improve following the Bank of Thailand’s interest rate cut, in addition to positive signals from a rising Manufacturing Production Index (MPI), says the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). The central bank’s decision last week to reduce the policy rate to 2% from 2.25% came as the MPI increased by 8.7% from December last year to 98.9 points in January, driven by state stimulus measures, growing exports, and more foreign tourists. Bangkok Post
Ministry preps tax perks to encourage firms to list: The Finance Ministry has pledged to use tax incentives to entice companies to list on the stock market and improve their efficiency. According to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, some companies considering listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) have a declining return on equity, which may stem from business cycles or an inability to adapt to market changes. Bangkok Post
Krungsri: Auto sales to rebound in 2025: Ms Pimnara says the marginal growth rates of both vehicle and home sales this year align with slower growth of the Thai economy. Home and car sales are projected to grow at a low rate this year, bouncing back from deep contractions in 2024, as the economy expands slower than regional peers, according to Krungsri Research. Bangkok Post
Collection in first 4 months beats target: Government revenue collection in the first four months of fiscal 2025 was 826 billion baht, exceeding the target by 1.3%, according to Pornchai Thiraveja, directorgeneral of the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO). He said from October 2024 to January 2025, revenue collection exceeded the target by more than 10 billion baht, similar to the amount collected in the same period last year. The Revenue Department collected revenue of 646 billion baht during the period, 1.2% more than the target, thanks to the expansion of value-added tax revenue driven by increasing domestic consumption. Bangkok Post
BLS reports net profit of B859m: Bualuang Securities (BLS) recorded a net profit of more than 850 million baht last year, driven by interest income and an expanded revenue base from new investment products, despite market volatility and lower securities trading fees. The company earned total revenue of 3.07 billion baht, with brokerage income of 1.59 billion baht, down 11.2% from the previous year. Bangkok Post
Political tensions weigh on Thai stocks and casino plans: Rising political tensions could be a drag on major government projects, particularly the proposed entertainment and casino complex, says the Thai unit of China Galaxy Securities (CGS), prompting the brokerage to lower its Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index target for 2025. Bangkok Post
Oil auctions herald new Thai supplies: Authorities are hopeful for the development of nine new petroleum fields to increase long-term energy supply in Thailand, following an official invitation for investors to apply for an auction for onshore petroleum exploration and production licences. Not only will Thailand have an opportunity to produce more petroleum, but the country is also expected to generate 2 billion baht in investment value during the exploration period, said Warakorn Brahmopala, directorgeneral of the Department of Mineral Fuels. Bangkok Post
