Thailand

The Thai Industry Ministry has set aside a budget of 800 million baht over two fiscal years to meet the government's ambitious plan to create another 18,000 new entrepreneurs.

In reference to the capital increase from the 2004 warrant exercise, in the amount of 15,751,275 units or 551,294,625 baht, Siam Panich Leasing Public Company Limited has used these proceeds to originate new receivables from December 20-31, 2004 a

The Thai government said that it was speeding up a compensation program for around 2,400 small business owners whose livelihoods have been affected by last month's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

The cabinet will today consider a multi-billion baht financial assistance package to help people and businesses affected by the 26 December tsunamis.

Local bankers and capital market organisations are setting up a three-billion-baht venture capital fund to assist small businesses hit by the tsunami, Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday.

State-owned Krung Thai Bank PCL (KTB.TH) plans to increase loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by 40 billion baht this year from 340 billion baht currently, a bank executive said.

Kasikornbank Plc (KBANK), has forecast that figures for loans to retail customers, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will expand by about 54 billion baht or 20 per cent in 2005.

Standard Chartered Nakornthon Bank is moving aggressively to capture the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending market in Thailand, targeting a 10% share within five years, up fivefold from current levels.

Refering to the auditor report of Siam General Factoring Plc. at the end of September 2004 and 2003 the company had a net profit Bht. 93.72 million due to the following reasons:

Bangkok Bank Plc (BBL) said its total credit next year is expected to grow by 5-6 per cent from this year, which is similar to this year’s figure, though the Thai economy next year is expected to slow down.