Showing 11 - 20 of 21
Thailand must prepare for challenges ahead
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/05/2016
» In February, I discussed, with cautious optimism, the reality of our transport megaprojects and the sizeable impact on businesses. In particular, the service sector would subsequently flourish. As urbanisation accelerates from better connectivity, property and retail developments will quickly follow. Tourism businesses will expand to these new urban cities. Relatively new service businesses, such as transport maintenance, would be established in key junctions and pit-stops, as trains, planes and ships multiply.
A hopeful tale for China's old and new economies
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 16/03/2016
» Optimism was in the air for the Chinese economy at the IIF-G20 conference in Shanghai late last month. The annual forum set the stage for leaders in the financial community to share their economic perspectives and voice their concerns prior to the G20 meeting. This year, in particular, at the height of global fears of its crash landing, the crowd was listening closely for insights on how China's economic transition would unfold.
Megaprojects provide stimulus and long-term gains
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 17/02/2016
» The volatility in global financial markets has recently picked up again on the back of a series of mediocre economic data across the globe. Poor results for Thai exports in 2015 could very well extend further, putting a spotlight on the need for public investment more than ever. Without a doubt, the cabinet will be called upon to churn out the public infrastructure projects as promised.
Mega-investment is no longer a choice
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 27/01/2016
» As the year of the monkey kicks off, anxiety abounds. For the first time in nearly half a century, no single economic power enjoys bullish prospects. In the 1980s, Japan was at the height of its "miracle" with record salaries and employment. In the 1990s, the United States rode the success of rapid technological change that created waves of new jobs as well as the dot com bubble. At the turn of the millennium, the European Union was exuberant with the promise of growth driven by a streamlined internal market and single currency. Then China's accession to the World Trade Organisation helped it re-emerge as one of the world's great economic powers, marching briskly forward even during the global financial crisis of 2008. Today, there is no comparable big winner.
Ageing without wealth mars golden years
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/03/2015
» Thailand is already an ageing society, with roughly 10 million Thais over the age of 60. This amounts to roughly 15% of the population. By 2030, this number will rise to 25%. Our declining birth rate and rising life expectancy are driving the change. Of course, it's good news that we have reached the stage of development where we live 74 years on average.
Slow growth is a small price for reform
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/02/2015
» The Thai economy has gained little traction in recent months. Despite the restoration of confidence and the clearing of many legislative bottlenecks since the middle of last year, GDP growth still came in at just 0.7% in 2014. Nor have we seen any big return of momentum in domestic consumption or investment. Even during the recent New Year festivities, consumer spending was weak, despite the long holiday period. There isn't much to celebrate on the economic front.
Connecting with Thai 'Gen Y' consumers
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 19/11/2014
» It is quite unique for Thailand to be caught in the middle of two demographic megatrends.
Three strategies for long-term growth
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 22/10/2014
» Recent discussion of Thailand's big reform push has focused on issues of social stability. However, the economic fundamentals also need serious — if not more urgent — attention, given the economy's remarkably weak performance over the past seven years.
Time to refocus our exporting strengths
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 17/09/2014
» Thailand's exports have suffered such a great fall. Our performance has been disappointing since 2012. We at the SCB Economic Intelligence Centre (EIC) expect total exports for 2014 to grow by around 1% yearly.
Misuse of human capital limits growth
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/06/2014
» Everyone is looking for change today. Many areas have been proposed for reform, ranging from taxes, energy, to infrastructure investment. One area of reform that Thailand definitely needs, but has not been discussed much so far is human capital management.