ID :
183123
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:34
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/183123
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Thailand’s industrial confidence index recovers in April
BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - Thailand’s Industries Sentiment Index rose this year from 102.3 points in March to 106.6 points in April, said the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
FTI Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said the increase resulted from factors that supported operators’ confidence namely the steady growth of domestic demands, rising spending rates during the Songkran festival, the relief of flooding in southern Thailand, and satisfactory levels of export expansion. He noted however, operators are still concerned about rising costs due to the volatile prices of raw materials and oil as well as interest rates.
Payungsak added the quarterly Thai Industries Sentiment Index is expected to be at 116.2 points in the second quarter of this year, up from 108.0 points as of March, due to increases in overall sales, production and operational gains. Last month the indexes rose among small and large-scaled industries but the index in medium-scaled industries declined slightly. The sentiment indexes of industries in the Central Plain, the North, the Northeast, the East and the South also increased.
In April, he said, oil prices were the biggest concern of operators, followed by global economic situations, loan interest rates, foreign exchange rates and political factors.
Meanwhile, most operators agree that the government should support small-and-medium-sized (SMEs) entrepreneurs by offering loans with discounted interest rates, cutting their corporate income tax, solving the shortage of skilled labor in industries, improving labor skills and developing logistics to reduce industrial costs. (TNA)
FTI Chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said the increase resulted from factors that supported operators’ confidence namely the steady growth of domestic demands, rising spending rates during the Songkran festival, the relief of flooding in southern Thailand, and satisfactory levels of export expansion. He noted however, operators are still concerned about rising costs due to the volatile prices of raw materials and oil as well as interest rates.
Payungsak added the quarterly Thai Industries Sentiment Index is expected to be at 116.2 points in the second quarter of this year, up from 108.0 points as of March, due to increases in overall sales, production and operational gains. Last month the indexes rose among small and large-scaled industries but the index in medium-scaled industries declined slightly. The sentiment indexes of industries in the Central Plain, the North, the Northeast, the East and the South also increased.
In April, he said, oil prices were the biggest concern of operators, followed by global economic situations, loan interest rates, foreign exchange rates and political factors.
Meanwhile, most operators agree that the government should support small-and-medium-sized (SMEs) entrepreneurs by offering loans with discounted interest rates, cutting their corporate income tax, solving the shortage of skilled labor in industries, improving labor skills and developing logistics to reduce industrial costs. (TNA)
