Demand for Decarbonise Loans increased significantly as SMEs explore green operations
隨著中小企業探索綠色運營，對脫碳貸款的需求顯著增加。
In fiscal year 2024, 158 small and medium-sized (SMEs) requested for a total of 1.9 billion baht through the Thai SME Fund’s Decabonise Loan, surpassing the 1.4 billion baht amount from the previous fiscal year.
The government-sponsored fund is offering loans to SME operators who want to improve or invest facilities and equipment that have a lower environmental impact—particularly by lowering the amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
The director at the Office of Thai SME Fund said that they were surprised by the volume of loans applied for in this fiscal year. Consequently, the office was forced to decide whether to start a new loan programme with comparable advantages or raise the Decarbonise Loan fund limit by an additional 2 billion baht.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/economy/40034843
編按：這項旨在推廣環保實踐的貸款，支持中小企業經營者投資購買設備以減少二氧化碳排放。泰國中小企業基金辦公室最初在2024財年撥款15億泰銖用於“脫碳貸款”，但由於需求旺盛，目前正在考慮將基金限額增加20億泰銖，或推出新的類似貸款項目。需求的激增表明，中小企業對採用綠色營運方式的興趣日益濃厚。
15 million tonnes of lithium found in Thailand 泰國發現1500萬噸鋰礦
According to a government official on Friday, Thailand discovered over 15 million tonnes of lithium deposits, which is good news for the country’s ambition to become a regional centre for the manufacture of electric vehicles.
After Bolivia and Argentina, Thailand now boasts the third-largest lithium reserves, however it’s unclear how much of these can be used for commercial purposes.
According to government deputy spokeswoman Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, the 14.8 million tonnes of lithium are split between two different locations in the southern province of Phang Nga, The Nation television station said.
編按：這項發現使泰國成為繼玻利維亞和阿根廷之後的世界第三大鋰礦儲量國，這與泰國致力於成為區域電動車生產中心的雄心壯志不謀而合。這些鋰礦位於泰國南部攀牙府，總儲量達1,480萬噸。然而，這些儲量的商業開發利用程度仍存在不確定性。這項進展凸顯了泰國在培育可持續且具競爭力的電動車產業所採取的策略性舉措。
Geopolitical tensions still drives relocations to Southeast Asia
地緣政治緊張局勢仍然驅動著人們向東南亞遷移。
Over the past two years, geopolitical tensions have forced global investors to move or expand their manufacturing bases to Southeast Asia; nonetheless, the region’s ability to sustain emerging sectors and its infrastructure have allowed it to preserve its advantage in luring new investment.
Among the places that benefited from the production base relocation were Thailand and Vietnam.
Vietnam has triumphed in the electronic industry, particularly in terms of components for smartphones and other electrical devices, while Thailand has an edge in the automotive sector.
The company also anticipates that as EV sales increase, more foreign investors in the automotive industry will locate their operations in Thailand.
編按：泰國已將自身定位為汽車產業的領導者。隨著電動車銷售的預期成長，該公司預計會有更多外國汽車產業投資者選擇泰國作為其營運的戰略地點，從而進一步提升該地區對全球投資的吸引力。
7-Eleven Malaysia launched the 7EGoGreen campaign 馬來西亞7-Eleven發起了7EGoGreen環保活動
The 7EGoGreen Waste2Life campaign has been introduced by 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (7-Eleven). Through the collection of recyclables, this year-long programme seeks to educate, empower, and promote recycling behaviours among Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) people. Knowledge-sharing events will also be a part of the initiative to give locals access to precise recycling information. Together with NGOHub and Alam Flora Environment Solutions (AFES), the campaign will be carried out.
Through its “Buy Back” scheme, AFES will provide people with cash incentives for bringing in recycled materials. When recycling 500g or more of recyclable cardboard and plastic, participants will also receive a 7-Eleven treat bag in addition to the monetary incentive from AFES.
編按：馬來西亞7-Eleven便利商店發起了「7EGoGreen Waste2Life」環保活動，這是一項為期一年的計劃，旨在促進人民組屋（PPR）居民養成良好的回收習慣。該活動體現了馬來西亞7-Eleven便利商店對環境永續發展和社區參與的承諾。
Getting ready for the green utility tariff 為綠色公用事業關稅做好準備
It is anticipated that the announcement of a green utility tariff (GUT), scheduled for February will represent a major advancement in the utilization of renewable energy to boost local businesses and attract global investment.
In addition to infrastructure to support operations, clean power is a must for many companies looking to grow into Thailand in order to meet their carbon reduction goals.
Users can determine how much they must pay for clean power, and suppliers of renewable energy will know how much they will profit from electricity sales once the GUT’s specifics are revealed.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2730404/preparing-for-the-green-utility-tariff
編者按：即將於 2 月公佈的綠色公用事業關稅 (GUT) 預計將成為利用再生能源促進經濟成長和吸引全球投資進入泰國的重要里程碑。
Thailand’s GDP growth forecast for 2024 upgraded by the IMF 國際貨幣基金組織上調了泰國2024年GDP成長的預測。
Thai GDP growth is predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reach 4.4% this year, up from 2.5% in 2023. According to the IMF Executive Board 2023 Article IV Consultation with Thailand, which was released on Monday, headline inflation is predicted to average 1.3%, while real GDP growth in Thailand is predicted to be 2.5% in 2023, driven by an acceleration of services exports and private consumption in the fourth quarter of last year.
The fund stated that while the economic recovery was probably modest last year, it is anticipated to pick up speed in 2024 due to increases in private consumption driven by the government’s fiscal stimulus and improvements in external demand.
編按：國際貨幣基金組織將2024年預期的經濟加速歸因於政府的財政刺激措施，這些措施促進了私人消費的增長和外部需求的改善，預示著泰國在未來一年將出現更強勁的經濟復甦。
Green Hydrogen: A Possible Area of Interest for WHAUP
In order to meet the increasing need for clean power, particularly in the digital technology sector, WHA Corp, Thailand’s largest industrial land developer and operator, through its subsidiary WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), which is listed on the SET, is presently undertaking a feasibility study on a green hydrogen project.
The results and a decision regarding the project are anticipated by 2025. Green hydrogen is created by splitting water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Green hydrogen can be utilised to power manufacturing activities and power generation.
https://beamstart.com/news/whaup-eyes-green-hydrogen-17058880224640
編按：泰國最大的工業用地開發商WHA集團正在探索綠色氫能作為清潔能源解決方案的潛力，尤其是在數位技術領域。該公司透過其在泰國證券交易所上市的子公司WHA Utilities and Power（WHAUP）目前正在進行一項綠色氫能專案的可行性研究。預計2025年公佈研究結果並做出專案決定。
Thailand announces genuine funds for Green Investment to meet carbon targets
泰國宣佈設立真正的資金用於綠色投資，以實現碳排放目標
As regulators work to diversify the capital markets and give money to industries that support the objective of carbon neutrality, asset managers in Thailand will soon be authorized to establish funds to invest in forestry and tree planting projects.
Pornanong Budsaratragoon, secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stated that the “green investment trusts,” as Thai authorities are referring to them, will first be restricted to investments in projects that produce income from carbon credits. She stated that after feedback from numerous stakeholders, the so-called green funds’ full details and regulations will be worked out by the middle of the year.
編者按：據證券交易委員會 (SEC) 秘書長 Pornanong Budsaratragoon 稱，該國的資產管理公司很快將被授權創建專注於林業和植樹造林項目的“綠色投資信託”，最初僅限於那些通過碳信用額產生收入的項目，詳細的監管規定預計將在年中最終確定。
Banpu Signs THB 2.4 Billion Agreement with ADB to Support Battery and E-Mobility Sectors
Banpu與亞洲開發銀行簽署24億泰銖協議，支持電池和電動車產業發展
An expansion of a lithium-ion electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Jiangsu province, People’s Republic of China (PRC) to accommodate 1,500 six-seater e-Tuk Tuks, as well as related energy support such as charging stations for micro-scale transit services in Bangkok, Thailand, totaling 1.3 gigawatt-hour, were among the many energy-related projects that Banpu Public Company Limited, a leading international versatile energy provider, signed a THB 2.4 billion loan with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a THB 2.4 billion loan.
This fund will accelerate the Greener & Smarter transition and fortify Banpu’s Energy Technology company.
Banpu Signs THB 2.4 Billion Deal with ADB to Bolster E-Mobility and Battery Businesses | Techsauce
JS Solar and Samaiden bag the RM100 million Kulim project
JS Solar和Samaiden拿下價值1億令吉的居林項目
NUR Renewables Sdn Bhd has awarded Samaiden Group Bhd’s wholly-owned Samaiden Sdn Bhd and its consortium partner JS Solar Sdn Bhd a RM100 million contract to establish a solar power plant at Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) in Kedah.
The most recent engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract, according to Samaiden Group Managing Director Chow Pui Hee, is evidence of the business’s fruitful partnership with JS Solar.
The project will provide green energy to all KHTP customers by developing a 50 megawatt (MWac) ground-mounted solar power plant (first phase). NUR’s ambitious 500MWac solar project is currently in its initial phase. It will be developed in partnership with UEM Lestra Bhd, the UEM Group’s green energy division.
First large-scale green hydrogen production project in Malaysia signed
馬來西亞首個大型綠色氫氣生產計畫簽約
An RM1.88 billion deal has been signed by Semarak Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd (Semarak RE) and China Hydropower (Malaysia) Co Ltd, a division of PowerChina International Ltd, to establish Malaysia’s first large-scale green hydrogen manufacturing project using floating photovoltaic power generation.
Semarak RE chairman Mohammad Shahil and Ye Haoliang, the assistant general manager and deputy general manager of PowerChina’s Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters, signed the general contractual agreement.
In Perak, the project will use floating solar power generation to generate green hydrogen production and storage, which will aid in the transition to sustainable energy.
The design, acquisition, and building of hydrogen production and storage units, as well as floating photovoltaics, are among the project’s main goals.
編按：該計畫位於霹靂州，旨在利用漂浮式太陽能發電生產和儲存綠色氫氣，以協助馬來西亞轉型為永續能源。協議內容包括氫氣生產和儲存裝置以及漂浮式光伏發電系統的設計、採購和建造。
Malaysia’s economy is projected to grow by 4.2% by 2024
預計到2024年，馬來西亞經濟將成長4.2%。
Malaysia’s GDP is expected to expand by 4.2% in 2024, driven primarily by domestic demand.
Division of Statistics According to preliminary estimates, Malaysia’s GDP is expected to have grown by 3.8% in 2023, which is less than Bank Negara Malaysia’s forecast of 4% to 5%.
Selena Ling, chief economist at OCBC Bank, stated that the main drivers of growth will be elements of domestic demand, namely the stability of growth in private consumption and higher investment spending, both of which will be bolstered by a substantial medium-term reform agenda.
Although weaker global economy, dwindling commodities tailwinds, and continued geopolitical tensions are projected to pose challenges to Malaysia’s export demand, the stabilization of the electronics export downcycle could provide vital support to export growth.
https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2024/01/1005134/malaysias-economy-grow-42-cent-2024
Malaysia needs to build a comprehensive semiconductor infrastructure to attract investments
馬來西亞需要建立完善的半導體基礎設施以吸引投資。
Executive vice president Chang Pei Zen of the Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) stated that for Malaysia to see a rise in investments in the semiconductor industry, it must build a comprehensive semiconductor infrastructure.
Citing the country’s strategic location in the centre of South East Asia and wealth of natural resources, Chang acknowledged Malaysia’s advantageous position.
He highlighted that Malaysia has a greater supply of some materials than Taiwan and that the nation has a great opportunity to use these advantages to develop a strong semiconductor sector.
編按：台灣工業技術研究院（工研院）執行副總裁張培仁強調，馬來西亞需要加強半導體基礎建設，以吸引更多投資進入該產業。張培仁認為，馬來西亞擁有得天獨厚的戰略位置和豐富的自然資源，可以利用這些優勢發展強大的半導體產業，並指出其在某些材料方面的潛力甚至超過台灣。
Demand in the office market will continue to be driven by ESG principles: JLL
According to JLL Appraisal and Property Services Sdn Bhd, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles would continue to be a major factor in driving demand for office space, particularly in Greater Kuala Lumpur.
According to Jamie Tan, managing director, the office market saw a spike in demand as businesses moved more frequently to contemporary, environmentally friendly buildings that adhere to ESG standards.
According to Tan, the market is being shaped by ESG. The need to draw and keep top personnel, coupled with the increased emphasis on corporate responsibility, led to this shift towards sustainable and compliant workplaces.