Etihad Airways has joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), an airline-led industry working group established in 2008 to accelerate the commercialisation and availability of sustainable biofuels.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: ““Etihad recognises the need for step-changes in aviation to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and meet our industry’s carbon reduction goal. We also recognise that any fuel alternatives must be morally, socially and environmentally acceptable, while not compromising the future sustainability of the aviation industry.”
SAFUG members are bound by stringent criteria for the development of non fossil fuels, including the following:
The development of plant sources must be undertaken in a manner that is non-competitive with food, with biodiversity impacts minimised and without jeopardizing drinking water supplies. The total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from plant growth, harvesting, processing and end-use should be significantly less than that from fossil sources. In developing economies, development projects should include provisions or outcomes that improve socio-economic conditions for small-scale farmers and their families and that do not require the involuntary displacement of local populations. High conservation value areas and native eco-systems should not be cleared and converted for jet fuel plant source development.
Each SAFUG member has pledged to work through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), a global multi-stakeholder initiative consisting of leading environmental organizations, financiers, biofuel developers, biofuel-interested petroleum companies, the transportation sector, developing-world poverty alleviation associations, research entities, and governments.
“Abu Dhabi, our home base, has itself made a strong commitment towards sustainability and in the promotion of renewable energy through the establishment of Masdar City, which will the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency,” Mr Hogan said.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to over 55 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
FedEx Named Best Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year
At Supply Chain Asia Logistics Awards 2009 BANGKOK, November 19, 2009 – FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, has won the Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year award at the eighth annual Supply Chain Asia Logistics Awards.
“This award is a testament to our continuous efforts in innovation, in supporting businesses in this region and our dedication to make every FedEx experience outstanding for our customers,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, FedEx Asia Pacific.
Organised by Supply Chain Asia magazine, winners of the awards were selected through a two-part judging process that included customers and a panel of industry experts from the regional and global supply chain and logistics industry.
Held last evening at the Raffles Town Club, the awards represent the industry’s recognition of air cargo carriers based on criteria such as the size and span of network, reliability of guaranteed services, IT know-how and systems, level of customer service, the carrier’s ability to handle specialised cargo, approach to security and risk management and approach to sustainability and other CSR issues.
PHOTO: Hardiansjah Rizal, Senior Manager, Operations, FedEx Express Singapore (right) receiving the Supply Chain Asia award for Best Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year 2009 from Wolfgang Hollermann, CEO of Agility Asia Pacific.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
NOTE TO EDITORS: FedEx press releases are available on the World Wide Web at http://news.fedex.com.
“This award is a testament to our continuous efforts in innovation, in supporting businesses in this region and our dedication to make every FedEx experience outstanding for our customers,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, FedEx Asia Pacific.
Organised by Supply Chain Asia magazine, winners of the awards were selected through a two-part judging process that included customers and a panel of industry experts from the regional and global supply chain and logistics industry.
Held last evening at the Raffles Town Club, the awards represent the industry’s recognition of air cargo carriers based on criteria such as the size and span of network, reliability of guaranteed services, IT know-how and systems, level of customer service, the carrier’s ability to handle specialised cargo, approach to security and risk management and approach to sustainability and other CSR issues.
PHOTO: Hardiansjah Rizal, Senior Manager, Operations, FedEx Express Singapore (right) receiving the Supply Chain Asia award for Best Air Cargo Carrier Of The Year 2009 from Wolfgang Hollermann, CEO of Agility Asia Pacific.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
NOTE TO EDITORS: FedEx press releases are available on the World Wide Web at http://news.fedex.com.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Triple i reports robust air-freight growth
The Triple i Logistics Group, a light-asset based integrated logistics service provider, expects robust 30-per-cent growth in its freight business this year, bringing its total revenue for 2009 to Bt1.1 billion, or the same as last year.
"Focused more clearly on wholesale customers, we recorded a 21-per-cent jump in air-transport business in the first nine months, against a 30-per-cent drop in overall freight rates," said chief financial officer Viraj Nobnomtham.
The group now manages average air-freight volumes of 1,000 tonnes a month, up from 400 tonnes last year, and expects its air-freight volumes to grow to more than 1,500 tonnes a month next year, he said.
The group's revenue contribution from air freight this year has been 48 per cent, up from 38 per cent last year; sea freight, 41 per cent, down from 51 per cent; and logistics, 11 per cent, even with last year.
For sea freight and logistics, the group performed better than the overall market in the first nine months of the year. Its sea freight volumes dropped 30 per cent year on year to a value of Bt311 million, while overall freight rates fell 40 per cent.
In its logistics service, the group recorded a 1-per-cent year-on-year drop to Bt88 million in the first nine months.
Viraj said the group was continually adjusting its business to react to global changes, enabling its performance to beat the industry average. In the first nine months, the value of Thailand's trade abroad fell. Exports and imports recorded negative growth of minus 23 per cent and minus 35 per cent, respectively.
"Luckily for us, due to the expansion of Thai AirAsia's routes to many destinations in China, we have grown despite those conditions," he said.
CEO Tipp Dalal said the group had adjusted its business plan in response to an expected global economic recovery next year by focusing on Asean + 6, especially China, Australia and India, plus Africa, considered to be the world's fastest-growing markets.
He said as well as Thai AirAsia, the Triple i Logistics Group planned to become a general sales agent for cargo with other airlines.
"We are in talks with a few airlines and expect results this year," he said, adding that this would support the group's existing air-freight services.
The group's sea-freight business has been hard hit by the global financial crisis, which resulted in a huge fall in orders placed around the world. This applies especially to the US, one of the world's largest consumers and Thailand's major export market, which has reduced its orders in the past six months, he said.
"However, there are potential markets that have bright prospects next year, involving exports of food, frozen food and printing products and imports of pharmaceuticals and electrical appliances," Tipp said.
Triple i believes both air- and sea-freight rates will rise 15-20 per cent next year, helping its revenue reach Bt1.4 billion. This is because the supply side in air and sea space has been substantially reduced, he said.
"The county's container-freight volumes should recover next year, buoyed by the recovery of the world economy," Tipp said, predicting that the volume should swing back to the same levels as those recorded last year.
For its logistics business, Tipp said the group would focus more on cross-border transport, expecting this to become "a rising star" in the next five years as more trade developed between the Indochinese countries and other Asean members.
"Focused more clearly on wholesale customers, we recorded a 21-per-cent jump in air-transport business in the first nine months, against a 30-per-cent drop in overall freight rates," said chief financial officer Viraj Nobnomtham.
The group now manages average air-freight volumes of 1,000 tonnes a month, up from 400 tonnes last year, and expects its air-freight volumes to grow to more than 1,500 tonnes a month next year, he said.
The group's revenue contribution from air freight this year has been 48 per cent, up from 38 per cent last year; sea freight, 41 per cent, down from 51 per cent; and logistics, 11 per cent, even with last year.
For sea freight and logistics, the group performed better than the overall market in the first nine months of the year. Its sea freight volumes dropped 30 per cent year on year to a value of Bt311 million, while overall freight rates fell 40 per cent.
In its logistics service, the group recorded a 1-per-cent year-on-year drop to Bt88 million in the first nine months.
Viraj said the group was continually adjusting its business to react to global changes, enabling its performance to beat the industry average. In the first nine months, the value of Thailand's trade abroad fell. Exports and imports recorded negative growth of minus 23 per cent and minus 35 per cent, respectively.
"Luckily for us, due to the expansion of Thai AirAsia's routes to many destinations in China, we have grown despite those conditions," he said.
CEO Tipp Dalal said the group had adjusted its business plan in response to an expected global economic recovery next year by focusing on Asean + 6, especially China, Australia and India, plus Africa, considered to be the world's fastest-growing markets.
He said as well as Thai AirAsia, the Triple i Logistics Group planned to become a general sales agent for cargo with other airlines.
"We are in talks with a few airlines and expect results this year," he said, adding that this would support the group's existing air-freight services.
The group's sea-freight business has been hard hit by the global financial crisis, which resulted in a huge fall in orders placed around the world. This applies especially to the US, one of the world's largest consumers and Thailand's major export market, which has reduced its orders in the past six months, he said.
"However, there are potential markets that have bright prospects next year, involving exports of food, frozen food and printing products and imports of pharmaceuticals and electrical appliances," Tipp said.
Triple i believes both air- and sea-freight rates will rise 15-20 per cent next year, helping its revenue reach Bt1.4 billion. This is because the supply side in air and sea space has been substantially reduced, he said.
"The county's container-freight volumes should recover next year, buoyed by the recovery of the world economy," Tipp said, predicting that the volume should swing back to the same levels as those recorded last year.
For its logistics business, Tipp said the group would focus more on cross-border transport, expecting this to become "a rising star" in the next five years as more trade developed between the Indochinese countries and other Asean members.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
TNT profit dips further
TNT, Europe's second largest mail and delivery company, beat quarterly profit forecasts thanks to cost cuts, and said it saw early signs of recovery at its Express unit, although mail volumes remain weak.
The Dutch logistics company which,like Britain's Royal Mail and Germany's Deutsche Post, has been battling to restructure its domestic mail operations,posted a 14.4% drop in operating profit in the third quarter, its fifth consecutive quarterly slump in earnings. However,the cost cuts meant operating margins stabilised compared with last year.
"In this quarter the trading environment has stabilised further, with some early signs of positive underlying developments," chief executive Peter Bakker said in a statement.
"TNT in the third quarter has delivered clearly better than expected results, primarily thanks to a solid execution of its cost savings plans," Petercam analyst Thijs Berkelder said in a note.
"The first four weeks of the fourth quarter show a trend of improvement in the volumes of its express business,however volumes in its mail division are expected to fall at an increased rate,"TNT said.
The company has been trying for several quarters to improve the profitability of its Express business while attempting to slim down its Dutch mail unit.
Its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were 179 million ($263.8 million)on sales of 2.48 billion, down 7.6% yearon -year. Analysts were expecting EBIT of 159 million on revenues of 2.48 billion, according to a Reuters poll.
TNT's main focus is on keeping unions at bay to avoid painful strikes of the kind that have paralysed British peer Royal Mail, while hoping that it has left the recession behind and that the economic recovery is sustainable.
Like many competitors TNT has been struggling to cope with falling consumer demand while coming to terms with the liberalisation of the mail market.
After seeing the operating margin in its Express division drop to 2% in the second quarter from 8.9% a year earlier,TNT posted a margin of 5.1% in the third quarter, on par with a 6% margin a year earlier.
The company achieved this by removing 128 million from its cost base during the quarter.
The Dutch logistics company which,like Britain's Royal Mail and Germany's Deutsche Post, has been battling to restructure its domestic mail operations,posted a 14.4% drop in operating profit in the third quarter, its fifth consecutive quarterly slump in earnings. However,the cost cuts meant operating margins stabilised compared with last year.
"In this quarter the trading environment has stabilised further, with some early signs of positive underlying developments," chief executive Peter Bakker said in a statement.
"TNT in the third quarter has delivered clearly better than expected results, primarily thanks to a solid execution of its cost savings plans," Petercam analyst Thijs Berkelder said in a note.
"The first four weeks of the fourth quarter show a trend of improvement in the volumes of its express business,however volumes in its mail division are expected to fall at an increased rate,"TNT said.
The company has been trying for several quarters to improve the profitability of its Express business while attempting to slim down its Dutch mail unit.
Its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were 179 million ($263.8 million)on sales of 2.48 billion, down 7.6% yearon -year. Analysts were expecting EBIT of 159 million on revenues of 2.48 billion, according to a Reuters poll.
TNT's main focus is on keeping unions at bay to avoid painful strikes of the kind that have paralysed British peer Royal Mail, while hoping that it has left the recession behind and that the economic recovery is sustainable.
Like many competitors TNT has been struggling to cope with falling consumer demand while coming to terms with the liberalisation of the mail market.
After seeing the operating margin in its Express division drop to 2% in the second quarter from 8.9% a year earlier,TNT posted a margin of 5.1% in the third quarter, on par with a 6% margin a year earlier.
The company achieved this by removing 128 million from its cost base during the quarter.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Magnificent seven
In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
NEW PROJECTS UP FOR DELIBERATION
Another batch of projects worth Bt240 billion will be submitted for Cabinet approval today amid new reports of graft involving the government's second stimulus package.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij yesterday said he would today propose the Cabinet expand the second stimulus package from Bt1.06 trillion approved earlier to about Bt1.3 trillion, to be implemented over three years.
The ministry will also ask the Cabinet to increase investment projects under an emergency borrowing fund by more Bt50 billion, leading to planned total spending next year of up to Bt350 billion, he said.
An improvement in government revenue in recent months leaves more money available for investment, he said.
The ministry plans to disburse the first tranche of funds for at least 85 per cent of the projects, he said.
New projects ecpected to be included in today's proposal are the Bt40 billion farm price-guarantee scheme, Bt23 billion supplementary budget to support local governments and Bt3 billion housing fund know as Baan Mankhong for people living in slums.
The projects under Thai Khemakhaeng already approved by the Cabinet worth Bt200 billion would be implemented during this and next year, he said.
In response to complaints about corruption, the ministry has opened a website at www.tkk2555.com to reveal details of all projects to the public. People can also report irregularities in the investment projects via publicwatch@tkk2555.com.
Korn yesterday met with senior officials to discuss the transparency of the public investment projects.
The next phase of investment will focus on economic restructuring. The bill to finance it with Bt400 billion loans is in Parliament.
The next phase will be put into rail projects to improve the logistics system, aimed at lowering logistics costs from 20 per cent of gross domestic product to about 15 per cent.
The ministry will soon ask the Cabinet to consider another package to develop the capital market, which includes tax incentives, Korn added.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij yesterday said he would today propose the Cabinet expand the second stimulus package from Bt1.06 trillion approved earlier to about Bt1.3 trillion, to be implemented over three years.
The ministry will also ask the Cabinet to increase investment projects under an emergency borrowing fund by more Bt50 billion, leading to planned total spending next year of up to Bt350 billion, he said.
An improvement in government revenue in recent months leaves more money available for investment, he said.
The ministry plans to disburse the first tranche of funds for at least 85 per cent of the projects, he said.
New projects ecpected to be included in today's proposal are the Bt40 billion farm price-guarantee scheme, Bt23 billion supplementary budget to support local governments and Bt3 billion housing fund know as Baan Mankhong for people living in slums.
The projects under Thai Khemakhaeng already approved by the Cabinet worth Bt200 billion would be implemented during this and next year, he said.
In response to complaints about corruption, the ministry has opened a website at www.tkk2555.com to reveal details of all projects to the public. People can also report irregularities in the investment projects via publicwatch@tkk2555.com.
Korn yesterday met with senior officials to discuss the transparency of the public investment projects.
The next phase of investment will focus on economic restructuring. The bill to finance it with Bt400 billion loans is in Parliament.
The next phase will be put into rail projects to improve the logistics system, aimed at lowering logistics costs from 20 per cent of gross domestic product to about 15 per cent.
The ministry will soon ask the Cabinet to consider another package to develop the capital market, which includes tax incentives, Korn added.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Time for decisiveness on logistics
If Thailand wants to achieve its hope of becoming the logistics centre for Southeast Asia, the government must act decisively and rapidly to develop the infrastructure for logistics, said former finance minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula.
M.R. Pridiyathorn, also a former Bank of Thailand governor, wants to establish a decision-making body to develop local infrastructure and industrial sector competitiveness.
"The country's economic competitiveness relies very much on logistics costs. The government already knows what to do but the decision makers are still very slow to do anything," he said.
He made the comments at a seminar called "Logistics Asia 2009: Repositioning Thailand in the Global Value Chain",organised by the Thailand Management Association (TMA) in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC)and the Transport Institute of Chulalongkorn University to discuss the future direction of local logistics development.
M.R. Pridiyathorn said the economic crisis shifted the world's economic growth engine to Asia. That could translate into brisk trading traffic in the region.
To accommodate this change, logistics cost reduction would promote Thailand as a logistics hub to serve this upsurge in goods transport.
"Cheaper cost will support local in-dustrial competitiveness and attract more foreign investment to the country,"M.R. Pridiyathorn said.
"There are lots of projects that are in different stages - some are already planned and ready to be implemented - but what is needed is a decisionmaker who has the guts to make a decision."
The country's logistics system relies on road for over 80% of traffic, with 2%marine transport and the rest through rail. But road transport is the most expensive and fuel-thirsty, so Thailand needs to develop other modes, he said.
The first step is developing sea transport as it is the easiest and can be done by private sector investment.
"Two important port routes are those linking Laem Chabang and Bangkok to the South. For rail, more dual-track routes are needed while a rail extension to link Thailand with southern China would also improve our trade with the giant economy," he said.
Extension of airport facilities to accommodate more human traffic and cargo also needs to go ahead.
"A more open-eyed approach at how Thailand would play as a regional logistics centre also needs to be considered,"said M.R. Pridiyathorn.
"We need a tool to link the east and west, linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea through a landbridge.Once accomplished, crude transport from the Middle East to Korea and China will be able to go through this route.This will allow us to be a regional transport route in Asia."
He added that infrastructure such as a landbridge and the long-delayed Southern Seaboard would also be crucial in accommodating more investment in petroleum and related sectors such as petrochemicals.
"Establishing the link would also open our export routes to Africa and the Middle East, which are growing markets.China would also be interested in using this route to provide to emerging markets," he said.
He also criticised the government for paying too little attention to economic issues, adding that the Map Ta Phut court order that halted 76 projects was the result of indecisive action to tackle pollution problems by past governments.
"The government must take the case as a lesson for future infrastructure development and also to win back investment," said M.R. Pridiyathorn.
M.R. Pridiyathorn, also a former Bank of Thailand governor, wants to establish a decision-making body to develop local infrastructure and industrial sector competitiveness.
"The country's economic competitiveness relies very much on logistics costs. The government already knows what to do but the decision makers are still very slow to do anything," he said.
He made the comments at a seminar called "Logistics Asia 2009: Repositioning Thailand in the Global Value Chain",organised by the Thailand Management Association (TMA) in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC)and the Transport Institute of Chulalongkorn University to discuss the future direction of local logistics development.
M.R. Pridiyathorn said the economic crisis shifted the world's economic growth engine to Asia. That could translate into brisk trading traffic in the region.
To accommodate this change, logistics cost reduction would promote Thailand as a logistics hub to serve this upsurge in goods transport.
"Cheaper cost will support local in-dustrial competitiveness and attract more foreign investment to the country,"M.R. Pridiyathorn said.
"There are lots of projects that are in different stages - some are already planned and ready to be implemented - but what is needed is a decisionmaker who has the guts to make a decision."
The country's logistics system relies on road for over 80% of traffic, with 2%marine transport and the rest through rail. But road transport is the most expensive and fuel-thirsty, so Thailand needs to develop other modes, he said.
The first step is developing sea transport as it is the easiest and can be done by private sector investment.
"Two important port routes are those linking Laem Chabang and Bangkok to the South. For rail, more dual-track routes are needed while a rail extension to link Thailand with southern China would also improve our trade with the giant economy," he said.
Extension of airport facilities to accommodate more human traffic and cargo also needs to go ahead.
"A more open-eyed approach at how Thailand would play as a regional logistics centre also needs to be considered,"said M.R. Pridiyathorn.
"We need a tool to link the east and west, linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea through a landbridge.Once accomplished, crude transport from the Middle East to Korea and China will be able to go through this route.This will allow us to be a regional transport route in Asia."
He added that infrastructure such as a landbridge and the long-delayed Southern Seaboard would also be crucial in accommodating more investment in petroleum and related sectors such as petrochemicals.
"Establishing the link would also open our export routes to Africa and the Middle East, which are growing markets.China would also be interested in using this route to provide to emerging markets," he said.
He also criticised the government for paying too little attention to economic issues, adding that the Map Ta Phut court order that halted 76 projects was the result of indecisive action to tackle pollution problems by past governments.
"The government must take the case as a lesson for future infrastructure development and also to win back investment," said M.R. Pridiyathorn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)