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NTCC Newsletter October 2010
Thai economic engine drives forward
The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) released its report on Thailand’s second quarter economic performance, showing the economy grew by 9.1 percent in Q2 and by a staggering 10.6 percent for the first half of the year. Continued improvements were noted in production, exports, investment and private consumption, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of economic expansion. Full article at: http://www.boi.go.th:8080/issue_content.php?issueid=68;page=0 The Worldbank reports evenly positive about the Thai economy. Download the report at: http://www.worldbank.or.th/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/EASTASIAPACIFICEXT/THAILANDEXTN /0,,contentMDK:22661302~menuPK:50003484~pagePK:2865066~pi PK:2865079~theSitePK:333296,00.html?cid=EXTEAPMonth1
Wim Kok visits NTCC networking event in Bangkok
Wim Kok recently visited Bangkok to participate in a UNESCAP conference in his capacity of President of the Club de Madrid. Simultaneously, he attended the annual Welcome Back networking event of the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce at the Residence of the Dutch Ambassador. The evening was a great success providing the Dutch business community with an excellent opportunity to exchange thoughts with Wim Kok and each other. In the centre of the picture former PM Wim Kok
NFIA Seminar in Bangkok
Last September 14th the Royal Netherlands Embassy Bangkok hosted a seminar titled “Strengthen your competitiveness in Europe by investing in The Netherlands”. The event was co-organized with the Thai DEP (Department Export Promotion), the Food Processing Industry Club and the Federation of Thai Industries as well as the Thai National Shippers Council. The seminar is an answer to the Thai exporters interest to invest in a European logistics and distribution centre in the Netherlands. Late 2009 two government delegations have conducted fact-finding visits to the Netherlands. The seminar was presided over by HE Tjaco van den Hout and Khun Visit Limprana (President of the Food Processing Industry Club and VP of the Federation of Thai Industries). Guest speakers were Linnie Mackenzie, Area Director SE Asia of the NFIA, Karin Rancuret, Sr Project Manager from Holland International Distribution Council, Vinod kallou of KPMG Meijburg and Nils Hijlkema of NIZO Food Research.
The day prior to the seminar a delegation visited Sea Value, one of Thailand’s largest tuna producing industries at Samut Sakhon, that runs its own sales operation in Nijkerk in the Netherlands.
  Visit to Sea Value NFIA seminar at Queen Sirikit Cenvention Centre
BOI boosts Thai Overseas Investment
The Board of Investment approved an overseas investment promotion policy which will encourage overseas investment as a national policy. It aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Thai industries in terms of backward linkage to domestic industries. The policy does not yet include the Netherlands, but will be expanded in future. Download the full publication at: http://www.boi.go.th/english/download/hot_topic/91/Press_Release_No.56_07.pdf
RID visits the Netherlands The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) of Thailand visited The Netherlands. NWP has composed a programme for the visitig officials. RID is looking for expertise in two projects that will be initiated shortly. First of all a feasibility study integrated flood management, followed by a flood protection solution, both targeted at the central plain of Thailand. There is also interest to investigate the possibilities to use the westbanks of the Chao Praya river land as “retention ponds” during floods.
Visit the International Agri & Food Challenge on October 14th
Discover new opportunities for your enterprise at the upcoming Agri & Food Challenge. The Dutch expertise in sustainability and quality control is much looked after. A number of theme sessions on agrologistics, bio-based economy and the food industry are open to all interested arties. The event is organized by LNV and EVD, for more details visit http://www.evd.nl/evenementen/challenge/home/agro.asp
EU-seminar on watersectorComing November 24 a seminar on water supply and waste water treatment projects that are entitled to EU support will take place. More information at: http://www.evd.nl/zoeken/showbouwsteen.asp?bstnum=285391
World Bank Loan for highway project
World Bank Country Director for Thailand, Annette Dixon attended the ceremony to sign the $79.3 million loan agreement to support Thailand’s highway expansion and management. Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit presided over the ceremony. The loan was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors back in March. It is part of the Bank’s overall effort to help Thailand sustain high economic growth and improve competitiveness. The loan agreement provides additional World Bank financing to support the widening of five national highway sections, with a total length of 216 kilometers. The expansion will help Thailand accommodate increased traffic in some of the growing areas in its eastern, northeastern, and southern regions. Once completed, the widened highways are expected to help reduce the burden on road users, such as travel time and vehicle operating costs, by at least 10 percent.
PSI tenders in 2011
For those of you interested in the upcoming PSI tenders; please save this link to stay informed:http://www.evd.nl/zoeken/showbouwsteen.asp?bstnum=228999
Grants available to Dutch companies
Senternovem offers a subsidy scheme for international innovation. Dutch companies aiming to develop new technologies with foreign partners may qualify for a subsidy under the international innovation scheme. The subsidy is open to projects that aim to develop a new technology for a product, process or service. The key ingredient of a project will be technological innovation on a worldwide scale. Successful projects will receive 35% (45% for SME’s) of the cost for research, and 25% (35% for SME’s) of the cost for development. The maximum subsidy per project is 500,000.= Euros. Only the Dutch partner can qualify for a subsidy.The subsidy scheme is open to Dutch companies with a foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, South Korea and Thailand. More information (only in Dutch) is available at: www.senternovem.nl/internationaal_innoveren
Amari Watergate Midnight Run
Harry Betist of Aviareps and a Boardmember of NTCC The Hague will participate in the Amari Watergate Midnight Run in Bangkok to raise funds for Chalerm Prakiat HRH Princess Sirindhorn school which supports the education of children whose parents have very tragically passed away due to HIV infection. The second beneficiary will be Baan Gerda, the Children's Village project which supports HIV-infected orphans children in Nongmuang, Lopburi province. Look for details at: http://www.amari.com/watergate/charity-midnight-run.aspx To sponsor Harry Betist (starting from € 250,=) please contact okholodnaya@aviareps.com
Different perspective on everyday objects
Jansen+co is a Dutch design company founded by Anouk Jansen and Harm Magis, based in Amsterdam. In the autumn of 2006, they launched their first collection of functional tabletop and home accessories. Their designs are quirky and all products are truly original. Jansen+co brings a new perspective to everyday objects and successfully subcontracts some of their production to Thai factories. www.jansenco.nl
Dutch expats likely to re-migrate
A survey conducted by SEO (associated with the University of Amsterdam) shows that the higher the level of education; the more likely that expats will eventually return to the Netherlands. The Netherlands are in the middle segment of countries that are being experienced as attractive destinations for expat life. Asia is popular due to the level of remuneration in proportion to the living standard. Full report (in Dutch) at:http://www.seo.nl/binaries/publicaties/rapporten/2010/2010-03.pdf
Saichon Surapanich decorated
Last August 19th HE Virachai Plasai bestowed the Silver Medal (Seventh Class) of the most admirable order of the Direkgunaborn on Saichon Surapanich for her many efforts in social projects benefiting Thai society. It is the first time that such an order was handed out to a Thai national living in the Netherlands. A video report of the ceremony can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7D-pmdmTq8&feature=channel
Dutch expats likely to re-migrate
A survey conducted by SEO (associated with the University of Amsterdam) shows that the higher the level of education; the more likely that expats will eventually return to the Netherlands. The Netherlands are in the middle segment of countries that are being experienced as attractive destinations for expat life. Asia is popular due to the level of remuneration in proportion to the living standard. Full report (in Dutch) at:http://www.seo.nl/binaries/publicaties/rapporten/2010/2010-03.pdf
Saichon Surapanich decorated
Last August 19th HE Virachai Plasai bestowed the Silver Medal (Seventh Class) of the most admirable order of the Direkgunaborn on Saichon Surapanich for her many efforts in social projects benefiting Thai society. It is the first time that such an order was handed out to a Thai national living in the Netherlands. A video report of the ceremony can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7D-pmdmTq8&feature=channel
Bicyclemania Holland
Looking for an original Dutch gift for your Thai business relations? Consider this newly published book on Dutch biking behaviour: www.bicycle-mania.nl Visit YouTube for an impression: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmmUg2qGI0Y
Job opportunity in Bangkok
Agoda already employs several Dutch nationals. It is currently looking for a native Dutch speaking Online Marketing Associate. Salary will not be great but work permit will be provided. It is a full time job. For more details mail directly to Agoda
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