Growth will stem from three factors: first, the recovery from two slow years of low growth; second, the reduced impact of the Omicron variant and the high vaccination rate; and finally, world economic growth. All of these projections were made before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) slashed its global economic growth outlook for 2022 from the 4.9% it predicted in October 2021 to the 4.4% it forecast last month. No 1: High inflation rates. Inflation retards economic growth by reducing consumption. The IMF has lowered its forecast for US economic growth by 1.2% because the agency assumes the Fed will raise interest rates by 1% this year.

Building a better futureFinance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith addresses the 'Future of Growth: Thailand Vision 2030' virtual conference as its keynote speaker to mark the 20th anniversry of 'Post Today'. Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has outlined eight areas Thailand needs to work on over the next decade to raise the country's competitiveness. Digital technologies have played a key role in the past two years especially in payment systems, peer-to-peer lending and cloud funding, Mr Arkhom told the gathering. Mr Arkhom said the country must also create a social safety net, especially for grassroots people, and promote savings among the workforce to help them meet their future living needs. Last but not least, Mr Arkhom said policymakers must also ensure fiscal sustainability by increasing efficiency in revenue collection and expanding tax bases.

However, he said, office workers should be aware that Covid-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of developing severe symptoms, not entirely preventing infection. Mask wearing: wearing medical or fabric type face masks or both, with the fabric type on the outside. Hand washing: washing one’s hands regularly with alcohol spray or gel before and after touching objects. Testing: checking body temperature and taking a Covid-19 test. Thai Chana: checking in and out using this application.

Targeting one-third market shareIn 2022, XSpring will move deeper into the digital asset business via its subsidiary XSpring Digital, operator of the Initial Coin Offering (ICO) Portal. To this end, XSpring Digital will work with Coinbase, a US-based leading digital exchange platform and digital asset custodian to create an integrated service system. At the same time, XSpring gives high value to asset management and plans to expand the business, especially in the new area of digital asset fund manager. "XSpring expects to secure a digital asset fund manager’s licence from the SEC in the second quarter of 2022. The licence will also allow XSpring to engage in securities brokerage, securities dealing, and securities underwriting of investment units.

Trucks stop along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near the Energy Ministry on Tuesday as part of a renewed protest urging action over high fuel prices. Lorry drivers yesterday gathered outside the Energy Ministry on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to stage a "Truck Power Final Season" protest. He also said the LTFT will consider raising transport fees by 15-20% to reflect the increase in diesel prices to 30 baht per litre. The government agreed to cap the diesel price at 30 baht from November last year to March this year using the Oil Fund to implement a price subsidy. Mr Withoon said his group had no plans to pressure the energy minister into resigning, but they want the minister to help ease their plight as a result of rising fuel costs.

Commuters wait to board a train at Khu Khot station on the Green Line in Pathum Thani province on Tuesday. Apichit JinakulPrime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday insisted that the proposed extension of the Green Line railway concession must be finalised at the next cabinet meeting. He was speaking during Tuesday's cabinet meeting to discuss the 30-year extension and maximum fare of 65 baht, according to a source at the meeting. Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said that he had received four queries in writing from the Transport Ministry on Monday, but believed they were issues that had already been dealt with. The Green Line is owned by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and the concessionaire is the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC).

AssetWise has unveiled seven new projects for 2022 under a “Wind of Chance” strategy that includes expansion beyond real estate. The five condos and two housing projects have a total value of 12.4 billion baht and revenue recognition of 6 billion baht. The company expects them to help drive sales revenue above 10 billion baht this year. Meanwhile AssetWise plans to partner with eldercare leader Bangkok Healthcare Service (BHS) to open a rehabilitation centre offering health assessments, treatment, and rehabilitation. By the end of 2021, the company had developed 38 projects worth more than 38 billion baht.

Saudi crown prince to visit 'this year'Mohammad: Restoring Thai relationsThe Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, will visit Thailand once the government finishes the roadmap to restarting bilateral cooperation between the two kingdoms, Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Monday. The roadmap will prioritise cooperation in certain areas, in particular energy and labour, Mr Don said. Once the roadmap is drawn up, the Saudi crown prince will pay Thailand a visit, Mr Don said, adding the visit is likely to take place later in the year. During the visit, he will sign a framework agreement on the implementation of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, Mr Don said, adding the visit will set the tone for the future relationship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. After Gen Prayut met the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh, he urged government officials in both Thailand and Saudi Arabia to move quickly to turn words into action.

Mr Nate was reportedly the first person to vie for the NACC seat after the Secretariat of the Senate published a vacancy announcement Jan 31. The Office of the Secretariat of the Senate acts as an administrative office for the NACC selection committee. In his petition, Mr Watchra cited a number of cases to show why Mr Nate's application should not be considered. The first involved Mr Nate's decision not to challenge Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra's acquittal on money laundering charges. Mr Watchara said Mr Nate also faces a disciplinary probe over his role in the hit-and-run case involving Red Bull scion Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya.

Prices expected to remain highCustomers fork out hard earned money buying ever more costly goods in Muang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)A survey of company CEOs found that the price of goods was expected to remain high for at least three more months because of the high cost of production and fuel, the Federation of Thai Industries announced on Monday. They blamed high prices on the shortage of raw materials and rising costs of production and fuel. "High prices will continue for at least three months or possibly until the end of this year if energy prices remain high," he said. He said the CEOs expected inflation to run at 2-4% this year.

Govt plans travel bubble talks with China to boost tourismFILE PHOTO: Chinese tourists wearing protective suits arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the first day of Thailand's reopening campaign, Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters)The government plans to hold travel bubble talks with China and Malaysia this month, days after resuming a quarantine-free visa programme to boost tourist arrivals seen as key to sustaining a nascent economic recovery. Officials are also preparing to hold talks with neighbouring Malaysia later this month for a similar agreement, he said. Chinese tourists have shunned the country since the Covid outbreak with Beijing imposing curbs on outbound travel. Under the travel bubble, tourists will not be subjected to quarantine, and can enjoy special visa and accommodation arrangements, Mr Thanakorn said.

There are a lot of unsolved mysteries about cryptocurrencies, from the identity of the investors to how to calculate the value of digital assets, whether we should calculate according to the exchange or trading time? March is approaching, as many have to declare their taxes.

Public must be ready to 'live with Covid'Opas: No needfor lockdownsThe Public Health Ministry is preparing to propose a relaxation of measures to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) this week, to encourage people to live with the coronavirus as opposed to imposing lockdowns during outbreaks. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the ministry's Department of Disease Control (DDC), would not go into detail about the measures to be eased. "The global situation of Covid-19 seems to be moving in the same direction. Given the situation in Thailand, the number of new daily cases is still considered safe, he said. "We need to get people to understand that the number of daily new cases is nothing to worry about," he said.

During 2022-2024, digital transformation investment is expected to reach US$6.3 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion during 2020-2023. "We are entering digital transformation 2.0 where we can use technology to apply a digital transformation by ourselves. "Companies of all sizes must move towards digital transformation to survive and stay competitive in this digital world," he said. Three key approachesABeam Consulting Thailand, which focuses on digital transformation support, unveiled three areas that support a successful shift. "The right digital transformation delivers value to businesses," said Ichiro Hara, managing director of ABeam Consulting Thailand.

Poon said the baht is likely to move according to the market’s investment and may strengthen to the key support level of 32.80 to 32.90 if the market is in a risk-on state. However, Poon said the baht will not go past the support level until basic factors in the country have recovered. Moreover, foreign investors are waiting to sell the currency after it strengthens, while exporters are selling at the key resistance level of 33.20 to 33.30. Meanwhile, the dollar may strengthen if the currency market is heavily volatile. The market is worried that the US Federal Reserve will raise the interest rate too much if the inflation numbers are higher than expected.