Duty-free bid for six exports
The Nation (17 October 2007)
The Nation (17 October 2007)
Thailand will seek United States generalised system of preferences duty-free entry for six items, the Foreign Trade Department said.
The items are televisions, plastic pellets, plastic packaging, aluminium tableware, canned longan and lychees and microwave ovens. Department director-general Apiradi Tantraporn said yesterday it would ask the US Trade Representative to reinstate privileges for the items at its annual review. Duty-free entry helps boost exports, he said. Exports covered by the privileges cannot exceed US$130 million (Bt4.4 billion) a year or command more than 50 per cent of US imports of those goods.
The items are televisions, plastic pellets, plastic packaging, aluminium tableware, canned longan and lychees and microwave ovens. Department director-general Apiradi Tantraporn said yesterday it would ask the US Trade Representative to reinstate privileges for the items at its annual review. Duty-free entry helps boost exports, he said. Exports covered by the privileges cannot exceed US$130 million (Bt4.4 billion) a year or command more than 50 per cent of US imports of those goods.
Cabinet backs electronic sales
The Cabinet yesterday approved Finance Ministry recommendations to allow greater flexibility for electronic auctions for projects worth no more than Bt10 million. Government agencies or state enterprises may or may not set up committees to draft terms of reference for projects if standard terms are available. These must be publicised on that agency's website. They can appoint three committee members to organise auctions. If no bidder or a single bidder participates, alternative methods will be required.
Civil servants' exit package
The Cabinet approved compensation levels for civil servants who leave work before retirement age. Those taking early retirement will receive no more than 15 months' salary at the rate at retirement. Payments can be calculated by adding eight years to the worker's remaining years until retirement. Professional compensations are included. The payments will be made from the 2009 fiscal year until 2013. Workers must be at least 50 years old or have worked in government for 25 years. Officials considered top performers are not eligible.
The Cabinet approved compensation levels for civil servants who leave work before retirement age. Those taking early retirement will receive no more than 15 months' salary at the rate at retirement. Payments can be calculated by adding eight years to the worker's remaining years until retirement. Professional compensations are included. The payments will be made from the 2009 fiscal year until 2013. Workers must be at least 50 years old or have worked in government for 25 years. Officials considered top performers are not eligible.
Warning over rising prices
The Commerce Ministry is concerned over rising prices of consumer goods and has warned it will prosecute those illegally increasing them or stockpiling goods to mislead the market. Permanent secretary Siripol Yodmuangcharoen yesterday asked the Internal Trade Department to monitor prices and stocks during the current period of oil-price hikes. "The ministry will not approve any product-price increases in the meantime. If the ministry finds traders or manufacturers increasing prices without permission, or stockpiling goods, they will be prosecuted," he said. Offences carry a maximum penalty of seven years jail and/or a Bt140,000 fine.
Science park to open in 2010
The National Science and Technology Agency said the second phase of the National Science Park would cost Bt2 billion. The park is open to private research-and-development companies.
The 72,000-square-metre park is near Thammasat University's Rangsit campus and construction is expected to commence later this month. It should open in 2010.
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