Export expects continued expansion
出口預計持續擴張
The Commerce Ministry anticipates further expansion in exports after a faster-than-anticipated increase in January. These factors include the global economic recovery, a reduction in global inflation, the implementation of food security measures by several nations, and strengthened regional economic cooperation.
If geopolitical tensions in the Middle East do not worsen, exports should continue to grow in the first quarter of this year, according to Permanent Commerce Secretary Keerati Rushchano.
According to Mr. Keerati, the ministry has stuck to its 1-2% annual export growth target, with monthly exports between US$24 billion and US$24.36 billion.
T小編按：隨著一月份出口增速比預期快速上升，商務部預計將繼續擴張。這種增長受到全球經濟復甦、全球通脹緩解、幾個國家實施的食品安全措施以及區域經濟合作的加強推動。常駐商務部長柯拉提·拉什查諾（Keerati Rushchano）預測，如果中東地區的地緣政治緊張局勢保持穩定，今年第一季度出口趨勢將保持積極。
Bangkok meeting in May to address key challenges
五月份曼谷會議討論關鍵挑戰
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reports that energy policymakers are scheduled to convene in Bangkok in May to deliberate on the obstacles facing the energy sector, particularly the shift from fossil fuel-based electricity generation to renewable energy.
Sudharma Yoonaidharma, a member of the ERC board, stated that this panel is essential given the worldwide push to address climate change, which is brought on by global warming.
At the 2024 Future Energy Asia Exhibition and Summit, which takes place May 15–17, more than 600 policymakers, industry leaders, and academics are anticipated to present their perspectives on a range of energy-related topics.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2746918/may-bangkok-summit-to-discuss-key-challenges
T小編按：五月份，能源政策制定者將齊聚曼谷，討論能源行業面臨的挑戰，重點是從化石燃料向可再生能源的轉型。2024年亞洲未來能源展覽會和峰會將為600多名專家提供一個平台，分享關鍵能源問題的見解。
Big Data Institute collaborates with state to build a data-driven country
大數據研究所與政府合作建設數據驅動型國家
Thailand is becoming a data-driven nation through the use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), according to the Big Data Institute (BDI).
By this year, the institute hopes to have generated over 3 billion baht in economic impact and more than 200 million baht worth of employment prospects through the development of big data manpower.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) oversees the BDI. It came into being in 2023. According to Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong, the institute is in charge of data resource management, analytics for all state agencies, and cybersecurity and data analytics for the whole economy.
Tech partnership to encourage Thailand’s adoption of 5G
科技合作推動泰國採用5G
Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, the chairman of TSRI’s National Commission on Science, Technology, and Innovation, is at the centre of this huge project. He has made it clear how crucial 5G adoption is to Thailand’s economic growth. The partnership aims to revolutionise the economy by producing 5G products and solutions by the end of the year, not only adopt new technology. Thailand’s commitment to leading the digital transformation is reinforced by the TSRI-NTBC cooperation. Thailand led the ASEAN region in the 5G spectrum licence auction held back in January 2020.
For TSRI’s plan to be widely adopted and embraced, import substitution and 5G optimisation are essential. With a sizeable budget set aside for this goal, TSRI hopes to establish itself as a leading centre for research that not only promotes economic recovery but also greatly improves the welfare of Thai citizens.
T小編按：泰國科學技術與創新委員會（TSRI）全國委員會主席Sirirurg Songsivilai博士領導一個重要項目，推動泰國采用5G。該合作旨在到年底前創建5G解決方案和產品，加強泰國對數字化轉型的承諾。TSRI專注於進口替代和5G優化將推動經濟復甦，提高公民福祉。
January saw significant gains in foreign investment
泰國於一月份外國投資顯著增加
Applications for foreign investment under the Foreign Business Act were granted by the Foreign Business Committee in January, amounting to 7.17 billion baht, a 39.8% increase from the previous year.
The Department of Business Development reports that the number of foreign investors rose to 54 in January, up two from the same month the previous year.
According to the director-general of the department, Auramon Supthaweethum, Japan topped the list with 15 approved initiatives valued at 3.79 billion baht, mostly in service-related industries. Seven projects in Singapore were approved, with a combined investment of 1.09 billion baht.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2743440
T小編按：一月份，泰國的外國投資大幅增加。外國業務委員會批准的申請總額達71.7億泰銖，較去年同期增加了39.8％。日本以15個批准的計劃為首，總投資額為37.9億泰銖，主要集中在服務相關行業，而新加坡則提出了七個項目，總投資額為10.9億泰銖。
EEC ID system to launch in September
EEC身份證系統將於九月份推出
As an additional part to the current EEC visa scheme, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) plans to introduce the EEC ID system by September. This will lessen the burden on foreign workers and investors in the 35 promoted zones spread across the three EEC provinces.
The EECO’s deputy secretary-general, Korkij Danchaivichit, states that the organisation anticipates 5,000 users of the EEC ID platform, which will furnish them with a digital ID in addition to a physical card for usage in the promoted zones.
A 10-year visa, expedited work permit processes, and a flat tax rate of 17% are all provided by the EEC visa to foreign nationals working in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong that are involved in strategic economic activities.The purpose of the EEC visa is to give foreign investors who specialise in particular designated fields an appealing visa choice.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/investment/2744996/eec-id-system-set-for-september-launch
T小編按: 東部經濟走廊辦公室（EECO）計劃在九月份推出EEC身份證系統，作為現有EEC簽證計劃的附加部分。該系統將簡化跨越查幫、春武里和羅勇三個省份的35個促進區域的外國投資者和工人的行政程序，為他們提供在這些區域使用的數字身份證和實體卡。
Malaysia’s ringgit decline is worrisome but economic foundations remain solid: PM
馬來西亞令吉下跌令人擔憂，但經濟基礎仍然穩固
Although the ringgit currency’s decline to a 26-year low this week is alarming, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that solid fundamentals supported a positive outlook for the country’s economy.
The ringgit is now trading close to its lowest point versus the dollar, which was recorded in January 1998 at 4.8850.
Anwar informed reporters that, in contrast to its neighbours, Malaysia’s growth could be maintained because of the country’s strong level of investments, low unemployment, and low inflation. He also stated that the performance of the ringgit today should not be compared to that of 1998, when the country experienced high levels of unemployment and inflation and foreign investors withdrew.
T小編按：儘管馬來西亞令吉跌至26年低點，但馬來西亞總理安華·易卜拉欣仍然樂觀。該國強勁的基本面，包括強勁的投資、低失業率和極低的通脹，支撐了積極的經濟前景。安華強調，當今的令吉表現與1998年的危機有很大不同，當時失業率和通脹率都很高。
Maxis partners with Huawei to pioneer 5G-Advanced technology
Maxis與華為合作開拓5G-Advanced技術
In Malaysia and Southeast Asia, Maxis and Huawei have effectively carried out the first 5G-Advanced technology trial. The “5G-Advanced Trial Showcase” included a live speed test showcasing 5G-Advanced’s potential to reach extremely fast peak speeds of up to 8Gbps, according to a statement from Maxis.
5G-Advanced, sometimes referred to as 5.5G, offers up to 10 times faster connections, lower latency, and more throughput than 5G. Through next-generation connectivity and digital solutions, the demonstration highlighted the potential of 5G-Advanced technology by utilising its extremely fast speeds, increased capacity for connected devices, and extremely dependable low latency. KLCC The Place, the nation’s first location to conduct a 5.5G technology experiment, hosted the event.
FedEx begins testing EV cross-border delivery between Malaysia and Singapore
聯邦快遞開始在馬來西亞和新加坡之間進行電動汽車跨境交付的測試
FedEx Express, a division of FedEx Corp., has begun testing its first cross-border electric vehicle (EV) delivery service from Malaysia to Singapore.
The initiative is a component of FedEx’s ongoing investigation into methods to lessen its carbon footprint and advance environmentally friendly shipping.
A ‘Maxus eDeliver 7’ will travel 406 miles, according to FedEx, from a FedEx station in Shah Alam to a FedEx facility at Changi Airport in Singapore.
When compared to diesel-powered vehicles, the estimated reduction in tailpipe CO2 emissions for this trial trip is around 100 kg.
Malaysia’s business confidence still rising for the first quarter of 2024
馬來西亞的商業信心在2024年第一季度持續上升
Malaysia’s business confidence, which has been rising since the third quarter of 2023, recorded 4.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, indicating that companies have high expectations for their future operations.
In a release, the Malaysian Department of Statistics (DOSM) stated that all industries anticipate better economic conditions in the first quarter of 2024.
The business confidence indicator for the services sector increased to 8.6 percent from 6.3 percent in the previous quarter, indicating that the industry’s outlook is still positive.
The construction industry resumes its upward momentum after returning to a positive trajectory, with a confidence indicator of 10.3 percent as opposed to 1.7 percent on a quarterly basis.
T小編按: ：馬來西亞的商業信心在2024年第一季度持續上升，達到4.2％。所有行業都預期經濟狀況將有所改善，服務業的展望呈現正面態勢，達到8.6％，建築行業的信心指標也在增強，達到10.3％。
TNB Malaysia aims to electrify 30% of its operational fleet by 2030
馬來西亞電力公司（TNB）計劃到2030年使其運營車隊的30％實現電動化。
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), a utility company, is dedicated to a swift and sustainable energy transition. By 2030, it plans to electrify thirty percent of its operating fleet, or over 1,000 vehicles.
The strategic move, according to President and CEO Datuk Seri Baharin Din, is in line with Malaysia’s lofty objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
According to him, TNB’s switch to electric vehicles is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2,200 to 4,833 tonnes, or around 88,000 to 193,320 trees, by 2030.
https://www.nst.com.my/business/esg/2024/02/1017579/tnb-aims-replace-30-pct-vehicles-ev-2030
Pantas and Solarvest to assist Malaysian companies in making sustainable changes
Pantas和Solarvest將協助馬來西亞公司進行可持續變革
In order to help lower carbon emissions, Solarvest Holdings Bhd and Pantas Software Sdn Bhd are collaborating to use the former’s sustainable energy solutions and create a smart metrics system.
The partnership will make use of Solarvest’s clean energy solutions in addition to Pantas’ AI-powered carbon management and ESG platform, which is funded by Bank Negara Malaysia’s Greening Value Chain (GVC) project.
While Pantas will provide digital support and supplement these efforts with actionable data insights, Solarvest will help Malaysian firms execute lasting reforms.
Together, they seek to provide a thorough decarbonisation path by streamlining and expediting the deployment of renewable energy.
T小編按：Solarvest Holdings Bhd和Pantas Software Sdn Bhd攜手合作，推動馬來西亞公司實現可持續變革。利用Solarvest的清潔能源解決方案和Pantas的人工智能驅動的碳管理平台，他們旨在精簡脫碳工作，加速可再生能源的采用。
Sarawak to become hydrogen hub by 2027 – Abang Johari
沙撈越州計劃在2027年成為氫能中心 – 阿邦·若哈里
By 2027, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg believes the state would be a hub for hydrogen.
With the help of Gentari Sdn Bhd and SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd, Sarawak now operates a hydrogen production plant, therefore he stated it was feasible to reach this status.
Sarawak has turned the corner at this point. They plan to collaborate with South Korean and Japanese government agencies, as well as major firms in the energy sector like Gentari.
He stated at a news conference that hydrogen will be used for residential purposes as well as industrial purposes in the future. He was speaking following his keynote address at the Borneo Energy Transition Conference 2024 held here today.
T小編按：在首席部長丹斯里阿邦·若哈里·敦·奧彭（Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg）的領導下，沙撈越州有望在2027年成為氫能中心。沙撈越州與Gentari Sdn Bhd和SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd合作，旨在利用其氫能生產廠，並與國際合作夥伴合作，推動氫能在住宅和工業用途中的應用。