Loss of GSP privileges insignificant : Move will have little impact on exports . The latest move by the US to suspend benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for Thailand, which comes into effect in six months, is not expected to affect local exporters much, but further trade protectionism by Washington may be on the horizon, say analysts. Bangkok Post
FPO slashes growth outlook to 2.8% : The Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) downgraded the country’s economic growth outlook this year to 2.8% from 3% in August in response to the expectation of a deeper export drop. Bangkok Post
AoT told to halve landing fees to lure more flights : The Transport Ministry has ordered Airports of Thailand (AoT) to halve its landing and parking charges at all airports under its management in a bid to attract more charter flights for the upcoming tourist high season, which is due to start in three months. Bangkok Post
Chinese factory applications to rise : 30% surge seen as production base shifts . Investment applications from Chinese manufacturers looking to Thailand as a production base to avoid US tariffs are expected to surge by 30% this year to 71.5 billion baht. Bangkok Post
MPI in September drops for fifth month in a row : Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in September fell 4.7% year-on-year to 97.5 points, suffering from a bearish economy and sluggish global trade sentiment, says the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE). Bangkok Post
PM seeks trade perks fix : Talks to be held with US at Asean summit . Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will meet for talks with US representatives to try to restore Thailand’s suspended trade benefits at the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok next month, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday. Bangkok Post
Thai officials headed to USTR for explanation on GSP cut : Thai trade and labour officials in Washington are scheduled to talk with the US Trade Representative (USTR) tomorrow about the recent decision to end preferential trade privileges for a range of Thai exports. Bangkok Post
Feb 16 date for 5G bids : Auctions expected to generate B157bn . The telecom regulator has announced the debut auction of 5G spectrum on Feb 16 for four bands to accelerate availability of the ultra-high-speed wireless technology nationwide. Bangkok Post
BoT sees glimmer in final quarter : Pace propelled by private consumption . The Bank of Thailand is optimistic that the country’s economic growth momentum in the final quarter is gathering pace, propelled by private consumption amid a raft of stimulus packages, public and private investment, and tourism strength. Bangkok Post
Big three set to vie for 5G : All three major mobile operators are expected to compete in the 5G spectrum auctions scheduled for February, particularly for the 2600MHz and 26GHz ranges, to become leading players in the ultra-high-speed wireless technology, says an analyst. Bangkok Post
