|
|
| • EXCH RATES |
|
Baht/$ 33.68/71
Bid/Ask
|
GOLD |
14,700
+ 50
|
|
LOGISTICS
NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG
Mr Carstens and marketing manager Monrudee Theeraworawit discuss the company's annual Asian business survey at a briefing yesterday. |
While phasing out operations in the Philippines to expand its business out of China, the US-based logistics giant UPS remains cautious about expanding operations in Thailand, citing the political and economic uncertainties. Greg Carstens, managing director of UPS Thailand, said the company was monitoring local political and economic conditions before considering a new investment.
''Of course, we want to grow our business in Thailand but we want a stable government platform to work for. We need stability for confidence,'' Mr Carstens said yesterday.
Given the poor growth of the Thai economy last year, he said, UPS's business in the kingdom was flat. It currently employs 400 staff in the Thai operation.
''Looking at the local situation and stability of the government, I think we need more time to decide whether to invest in Thailand,'' added Mr Carstens.
The world's largest package delivery company with total revenue of $49.7 billion, UPS delivered four billion packages and documents in 2007.
UPS currently operates two intra-Asia air hubs in Hong Kong and at Clark air base in the Philippines. The latter will close after its new air hub in Shenzhen, China is ready to launch in 2010.
''No one can ignore the growth of markets like China and India,'' he said.
UPS yesterday released its latest annual survey that tracks the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The 2008 survey, conducted from Dec 18 to Jan 24, covered 1,200 respondents including 100 SMEs in Thailand.
Mr Carstens said that despite scepticism about economic growth seen across the region, the majority of Thai SMEs had remained optimistic about their growth prospects with about half expecting to increase their workforce this year.
However, the figures showed a critical shift in the top concerns of Thai SMEs from worries over competitiveness of their products in the 2007 survey to political and economic stability.
''The Thai economy has remained stable in spite of changes in the political environment. This is shown in the optimism about their growth prospects,'' he said.
Greater business opportunity was found for SMEs in the automotive, manufacturing and agriculture sectors, even though a significant number of respondents were concerned their businesses would be hampered by a US economic slowdown.
The UPS paper recommends greater support, especially in terms financing from the government, to be given to SMEs.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Next
