Business
Foreign Investment into Thailand Plummets 90% in 2015
![Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha responds to questions from reporters after explaining updated foreign investment regulations](https://chiangraitimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/0127N08-thai_article_main_image.jpg)
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha responds to questions from reporters after explaining updated foreign investment regulations.
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BANGKOK – Thailand saw a huge plunge in the value of foreign investment in 2015, mostly due to changes to its foreign investment rules, implemented at the end of January last year.
This will likely add to the country’s already sluggish economy, since investment accounts for about 50% of Thailand’s total domestic investments.
According to the latest statistics by Thailand’s Board of Investment, investment applications by foreign businesses tumbled by 98% in value to 12.7 billion baht ($368 million) in December last year from a year earlier, the lowest level in nine months.
The drop can be largely attributed to reaction to a rush of front-loaded demand at the end of 2014 ahead of the new rules. In all of 2015, the value of such investment applications also dropped by 90% on the year to 106 billion baht.
In January 2015, the Thai government revised its investment rules and cut the number of industries qualifying for tax benefits by 20%, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as sewing, amid rising labor costs and a growing shortage of workers. The government reduced other benefits for investor businesses as well. As a result, foreign companies scurried to file investment applications and receive better tax and other benefits under the previous system by the end of 2014.
By country, Japan kept its top spot in terms of the value of investment applications in 2015, although its share came to about 30%, nearly a half of its peak level a few years earlier, according to the Board of Investment data. Instead, Singapore and Indonesia — neighboring countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — grabbed large shares of the total foreign investment value on an application basis. China also came in fourth with a 12% share.
Economic strains
However, a plunge in foreign investments will weigh heavily on Thailand’s already stagnant economy.
To head off further slowdown, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who is in charge of economic affairs after assuming the post in August last year, called on relevant ministries to introduce policies for additional incentives as soon as possible. Those policies include covering a broader range of qualifying industries, among other measures.
If a foreign business files an investment application and will have spent more than 70% of its declared amount for construction and facility costs by the end of June this year, the government will exempt the company from corporate taxes for an additional four years (up to eight years when all is combined). The move is aimed at helping to increase the number of new applications and boost the value of actual investments.
High hurdle
But that’s easier said than done.
Indeed, the number of monthly applications has been hovering at around 50, down about 30% compared with levels in previous years, even after the government unveiled these additional incentives in November last year. It remains unclear how much effect these measures will have on boosting foreign investments.
While the Thai government aims to increase foreign investment applications by 320% in value to 450 billion baht this year from a year earlier, many foreign companies remain cautious about making new investments in the Southeast Asian country.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok, headed by Japanese trading house Mitsubishi (Thailand) President Akira Murakoshi, released in February the results of a business confidence survey on its member Japanese companies operating in Thailand. The survey found that 36% of respondents said they expected to decrease investment, forming the largest group of respondents, while 25% said they would increase capital expenditure and 31% said their investment would be flat.
Amid the lingering impact of the new rules and concerns over the future of the Thai economy, Japanese and other foreign businesses seem to be in no hurry to make any new investments in Thailand, at least for some time to come.
By Tamaki Kyozuka – NIKKEI
Business
PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.
![Pepsi](https://www.chiangraitimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pepsi.webp)
(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.
This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.
Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.
Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.
The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.
Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.
Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.
The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.
Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.
Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.
Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.
Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.
Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”
Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.
The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.
Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.
The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.
Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”
Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.
The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.
Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.
The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:
SOURCE: CNBC
SEE ALSO:
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
Business
Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.
![Infosys](https://www.chiangraitimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Infosys.webp)
(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.
This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.
For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.
This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.
Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”
This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.
This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.
Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.
Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.
Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.
This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.
It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.
Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”
This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.
We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.
Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.
SOURCE: THBL
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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
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Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight
Business
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
![water](https://www.chiangraitimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/download-1-4.webp)
The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.
American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack
American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.
According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
SOURCE | AP
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