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NTCC Newsletter February 2009
PM Abhisit announces Public-Private Committee at JFCCT luncheon Last Monday February 23rd NTCC Thailand members with 100 out of the total 1,000 participants attended the PM luncheon. The PM said that foreign investors are key drivers of the economy and true partners and friends of Thailand. PM Abhisit stressed on several occasions that the private sector (Thai and Foreign Investors) is invited to consultations with the government. The structure that has been set up is called the Public-Private Sector Committee. The council of economic ministers meets 3 times per month and the fourth time is with this Public-Private Sector Committee. The many questions that were asked during our luncheon today will again be submitted directly to the PM, and will be discussed during the Public-Private Sector Committee meetings. Subjects include BOI, lack of consultation with the different Ministries, public debt, Liberalisation of the Service sector, Telecom competitiveness, Mega-projects, Support to specific sectors such as the automotive industry, Customs and Labour.
The short term support to boost the economy was mentioned. Interestingly, the cabinet decided not to stretch its budget to the legal limit so as to keep a reserve in case an additional stimulus package is needed for Q3/Q4 and for the next fiscal year (starting October). In addition to the short term support, the council of economic ministers have agreed on a framework for long term competitiveness. 3 main points of emphasis were mentioned: Education, Water distribution, and Food, Service Industry and Added Value Creation.
But, to turn things around, “a lot of reform is needed” said Khun Abhisit. He is serious about using the current economic situation as an opportunity to implement some fundamental structural, legal and regulatory reforms through participation and in consultation with all stakeholders including the foreign business community.
Royal Thai Embassy, TAT and Thai Airways hosted meeting
During an informative luncheon in the Thai Restaurant White Elephant in Amsterdam Mr. Krairawee Sirikul,Chargé d’Affaire ad interim welcomed the guests on behalf of the Thai Government. In his welcome speech, Mr. Krairawee pointed out the excellent co-operation between Thai institutions and Dutch based commercial partners. He also extensively briefed the guests about the newly installed Thai government and explained about the high number of newly introduced initiatives and investments. Afterwards, a short documentary about Thailand and the Royal Project was presented.
On behalf of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Mr. Harry Betist shared views on the current state of business. Thailand, like all of the other long haul destinations, is suffering from the current economic crisis and pressure on the Dutch travel sector. He explained that data from TAT, gathered from airlines, arrival statistics and tour operators, showed significant difference with Dutch package statistics, reporting huge decrease. He also stated that various statistics show that consumers are changing from package bookings to direct bookings with airlines and at providers in Thailand directly. Furthermore consumers increasingly are moving away from direct flights from Amsterdam and depart via neighbour countries. However, Thailand is performing on par with other long haul destinations on the Dutch market.
Mr Somphorn Limprasutr, Netherlands Manager for THAI, gave a brief round up of action taken by the Thai flag carrier to address the actual situation late November/ early December on Bangkok International Airport in the best possible way.
During the Thai lunch an active ‘question and answer’ session took place with the colleagues from Dutch travel organisations and press delegates.
Prepare2start
This new program is a continuation of PSB (Programma Starters op Buitenlandse markten) and supports with advise and consultancy when you wish to internationalise your operation. The programme also offers subsidies. For more details go to (in Dutch): www.evd.nl/prepare2start
Presentation on upcoming Thaifex
Coming Tuesday March 3rd Koelnmesse invites all interested to a meeting at Motel Breukelen (alongside the A2 between Amsterdam – Utrecht). Gathering at 9:30, start of the program at 10:00. After Q&A a lunch will be served at 12:00. In the afternoon tradefairs in other Asian destinations will be presented. For more information please contact R.P. Schotema at 010 – 2064850.
International Trading Days
The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce organizes an international trade day on April 2nd. The event will simultaneously take place in 12 different locations. See which one is near to you (in Dutch): http://www.kvk.nl/agenda/182969/internationale_handelsdag_2009/
Laws and permits in the Netherlands
A new initiative by the Dutch Government is ‘Antwoord voor bedrijven’ (answers for entrepreneurs). It is a website that cooperates with ministries, other national governments, provincial authorities, water boards and local councils to link various sources of government information. You can see in a glance what the legal requirements are, what is permitted and what the possibilities are for taxes and subsidies. The site is very userfriendly. Please check: http://www.antwoordvoorbedrijven.nl/en/ (in English) or for the full pressrelease: http://www.ez.nl/english/Subjects/Entrepreneurship/Reducing_the_regulatory_burden#dezeInhoud
Positive export development for 2009
However export saw a decline over 2008, exporters are positive that the business will recuperate in 2009. The Chamber of Commerce reports this based on a combined survey performed by the Chambers of Commerce, VNO-NCW, MKB Netherlands (SME Association), EIB and CBS. The report is available (in Dutch) at: www.kvk.nl/coen (page 11 shows increased expectation) CBS and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce both reports on statistics on the last quarter of 2008. The export in October 2008 have only risen by 1%, but the value of the goods rose 4%. For more details visit: http://www.kvk.nl/regio/oostnederland/internationalehandel/100_Nieuwsbrief/nieuwsinternationalehandel/januari2009.asp#1 and http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/internationale-handel/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2008/2008-12-16-m02.htm (both in Dutch)
Dutch Trade Board Campaign
On March 19th the Dutch Trade Board will launch the ‘Loop eens binnen in het buitenland’ campaign to encourage entrepreneurs to consult the experts at the overseas Royal Dutch Embassies. Next month a brochure with all details will be issued and a website will become active. For more details contact Annelies van der Laan at EVD, 070 778 8425 or email to laan@evd.nl
EVD South East Asian Business Hours
On May 25-27 visiting trade and agricultural officers from the Royal Dutch Embassies in South East Asia will be available for individual consults. To make an appointment please contact John Katers at EVD, telephone 070 77 88 157 or email to katers@evd.nl
Hanky Panky Magic
Jack Monschauer, Boardmember of NTCC Thailand and owner of Hanky Panky Toys, reports on record sales during a trade fair in Germany. But the greatest award was the Toy Innovation Prize 2009 which Jack received at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. Please read the article reported by The Nation:
New NTCC Handbook and Directory
NTCC Bangkok is working hard to put together the 2009-2010 Handbook and Directory. The Handbook is distributed amongst members in Thailand and the Netherlands, but also presented to relevant government institutions in both countries. We appreciate very much that, like in previous issues, NTCC Bangkok publishes the Netherlands NTCC member details as well. Eileen Zhang will contact you by mail shortly to ask for your correct details and photo. Please, reply soonest, since the deadline is second week of March. For those members interested in taking an advertising slot, please contact the publisher Ken Streutker directly at Candor Group in Bangkok (ken@candor-group.com).
 Picture shows from left Kees Mommers (Board Member NTCC Bangkok), Edith Punt (newsletter editor) and Bert Cesar (Director NTCC Bangkok) in front of the NTCC Bangkok office after their recent meeting to discuss the contribution from The Hague to the Handbook & Directory and other initiatives to achieve even closer cooperation between our chambers. Recycling Heineken beer bottles
Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew or Wat Lan Kuad (Temple of a Million Bottles) is located near the Cambodian border, about 650 kilometers from Bangkok. The monks started collecting bottles in 1984 and have now created a complex of around 20 buildings using beer bottles. All green bottles are Heineken and Buddha mosaics were made of bottlecaps. The temple is on the list of eco-friendly sight-seeing tours in southeast Asia. Full article (in English): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4687433/Buddhist-temple-built-out-of-one-million-beer-bottles.html and in Dutch: http://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/3291243/__FOTO__Biertempel__.html
Second Thailand Fair in Eindhoven
On February 27 and 28 the second Thailand Fair in Eindhoven will take place at the Beursgebouw. For details (in Dutch) please click on www.thailandfair.nl
Netherlands Honorary Consul sought for Chiang Mai
The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bangkok wishes to appoint a Honorary Consul in Chiang Mai. Those interested can check the full requirement at the Embassy’s website: http://www.netherlandsembassy.in.th/
Vacancy for an International Trade Assistant
The Office of Commercial Affairs/Thai Trade Center in The Hague is the representative of the Department of Exportpromotion, Ministry of Commerce in Thailand. They have an opening for an International Trade Asssistant. For full details please check the NTCC website: www.ntcc.nl or contact Khun Ponsiri at comhague@euronet.nl
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