Tripartite effort to set up smart factoryAuto parts maker Daisin has adopted automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for parts delivery during the production process. According to management consultancy McKinsey & Co, driven by IoT technology, global factories could generate between US$1.4 trillion and $3.3 trillion by 2030. DTAC has the opportunity to work with aluminium vehicle parts maker Daisin and Nectec to develop a smart factory prototype, which could be followed by other factories in Thailand, he said. Thanin Leegomonchai, president of Daisin, pointed out in the wake of the pandemic, the company has seen the importance of technology and automation which could transform it into a smart factory. Mr Krit pointed out the collaboration is the first stepping stone for Daisin to become a smart factory by embracing Internet of Things, 5G and data analytics to unlock the potential for a smart factory which draws together automation, efficiency, productivity and insight.

Bad: Camera not as good as Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung S21 Ultra, pricey, a little chunky when folded. MacBook- Pro m1Apple MacBook Pro M1Good: As fast as high-end PC for video editing, looks great, great keyboard. MicroClimate AIR2MicroClimate AIR2Good: Why use a mask when you can wear a space-suit-like helmet instead, great filter system. Bad: Not shipping to Thailand… yetApple AirtagApple AirTagGood: Smart tag is a great gadget for forgetful people, wide discoverable range. Apple iPadApple iPad (10.2-inch, 2021)Good: A great middle ground between a smartphone and a PC, apps are mostly well built, not expensive, great for educational use, stylus support.

Airasia Digital, which is AirAsia Group's digital arm, consists of airasia Super App, Teleport, a logistics venture, and BigPay, a fintech company. AirAsia Group wanted to venture into digital business by developing its own super app even before the pandemic. CP SPREADING ITS WINGSDespite widespread Covid-19 outbreaks, CP Group, the country's biggest agribusiness conglomerate, has been aggressive pursuing mergers and acquisitions in recent years. The purchase of Lotus last year marked the return of the grocery and hypermarket chain to CP Group, which originally established Lotus as Lotus Supercenter in 1994. In the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, CP Group was forced to sell the retailer to Tesco in 1998.

Commerce Ministry puts 2022 export growth at 3-4%Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit chairs a meeting with senior Commerce Ministry officials. The Commerce Ministry has set the export growth target at only 3-4% for next year, slightly lower than projections by private organisations, citing a spate of persistent risk factors such as prolonged Covid-19 outbreaks, stiffer measures for public health and the environment and a shortage of labour and semiconductors. Its forecast for 2022 remains unchanged at 4.5%, but the report was released only days after Omicron was detected. Mr Jurin revealed the ministry's forecast after a virtual meeting yesterday with the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee on Commerce and commercial ambassadors worldwide. Mr Jurin said another booster is the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) early next year.

Minister suggests arrivals unlikely to meet forecastThe number of international tourists next year might be lower than the Finance Ministry's forecast because of the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant, said Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The ministry projects seven million foreign tourist arrivals next year, up from the forecast of 200,000 for this year. There were around 40 million tourist arrivals in 2019. Mr Arkhom said if there is another lockdown to bring down the infection rate to zero, this could cost the economy dearly. The instalment period is five years with a grace period for principal and interest payment during the first six months.

Side effects cost govt B1bnAlmost one billion baht in compensation has been paid out to Thais who suffered adverse side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine over the past eight months, says the National Health Security Office (NHSO). About 927 million baht in compensation was approved between April 5 and Dec 26, it said. The claims were grouped into three categories, the first being claims filed by vaccine recipients who reported mild to moderate side effects after receiving their Covid-19 jab. The final category is made up of individuals who were left permanently paralysed or died after receiving their Covid-19 shot. Out of the 11,707 claims filed, 1,752 were rejected because the claimants failed to meet the criteria set out -- 615 of whom have lodged an appeal.

'Decrepit' PM fighting to stay put, claim reportersThe government and key cabinet ministers have been given epithets to reflect their performance in the eyes of reporters covering them. Reporters on the Government House beat have labelled the government as Yue Yut (Fighting to Stay Put) while others have been assigned to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and high-profile ministers. The powers-that-be were said to be doing everything in their power to keep Gen Prayut in office. The conflicts also threaten to undermine the fraternal ties he has with Gen Prayut and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was called Wak Cine (Vaccine Reproach) for his perceived mishandling of vaccine procurement and distribution.

A total of 58% of consumers surveyed say they'll be buying gifts for their family, 24% will buy for friends and 23% plan to buy something for themselves. Nevertheless, retailers can still expect a busy time with Thai consumers still out buying gifts for their family and friends and even treating themselves. The Marketbuzzz survey, conducted among 500 Thai consumers nationwide in November, shows an almost even split between people planning to buy gifts in stores at 53%, and buying online at 47%. A total of 58% say they'll be buying gifts for their family, 24% will buy for friends and 23% plan to buy something for themselves. The top five gift categories this year are food and drinks, health products and supplements, hampers, jewellery and electronics.

Dams burst in Brazil as region hit by floodsTwo dams gave way in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia after weeks of heavy rains, swamping already swollen local rivers as flooding hit towns across the region, authorities said on Sunday. A second dam gave way to rising water levels in Jussiape, 100 kilometers to the north, on Sunday morning, bringing more alerts for residents to move to safer ground. Rescuers rowed dinghies along flooded streets to reach trapped families or take them supplies. One man paddled on an inflatable mattress to reach a home. Bahia Governor Rui Castro said at least 400,000 people have been impacted by the heavy rains and thousands evacuated from some 67 towns facing emergency situations due to floods caused by heavy rainfall for almost two months.

Car exports increased by 28.6% from January to November this year. From January to November this year, car exports rose by 28.6% year-on-year to 857,887 units, worth 500 billion baht in value, according to the club. Car manufacturers with production facilities in Thailand do not want the government to reinstate lockdown measures to fight Omicron if the variant triggers a fourth outbreak, said the FTI. "Previous lockdown measures affected people's confidence and purchasing power. "Car manufacturers will wait and see what EV packages are approved by the cabinet to grow the domestic market," said Mr Suparat.

Before 2021 ends, let me share five key economic and investment trends that SCB CIO foresees in 2022. These lingering effects will likely be a smaller factor in the uneven economic recovery, compared with their impact in 2019 and 2020. FISCAL CHALLENGESMeanwhile, the Bank of Thailand is likely to maintain its policy rate at 0.5% for another year to support the economic recovery. SCB CIO expects the baht exchange rate will remain in the range of 32-33 to the dollar by the end of 2022. Thailand's economic recovery and the return of foreign tourists are likely to occur in the second half of 2022.

REUTERSAdvertisers are treading carefully when it comes to peddling their products and services during February's Beijing Winter Olympics, which have been shrouded by criticism over China's human-rights record. The Olympic Games are typically a chance for the world's biggest brands to pitch their products and services to a large global audience. Companies spent more than $920 million on national TV ads that aired on Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. During the meeting, brands were asked to use their influence to insist on improvement in human rights in China. "Intel's sponsorship of the Beijing Games does not negate or undermine the chip maker's commitment or respect for human rights,'' he added.

For me, the best learning often comes from an unexpected source. They figure out the people and community they can learn from most effectively and get up to speed. My company organises a very inspiring 7,000-strong learning community, but your community can be your team, company or network. You arrange a meeting with another team in your community, and you take the time to explore and learn about their work and world. If you have a new success, breakthrough or insight, and you know enough about your community members, then arrange to go and tell them about it.

No trips for Afghan women unless escorted by male relative: TalibanThe Taliban have imposed various restrictions on women and girls, despite pledging a softer rule compared with their first stint in power in the 1990s. KABUL: Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said Sunday that women seeking to travel anything other than short distances should not be offered transport unless they are accompanied by a close male relative. Since taking power in August, the Taliban have imposed various restrictions on women and girls, despite pledging a softer rule compared with their first stint in power in the 1990s. In several provinces, local Taliban authorities have been persuaded to reopen schools -- but many girls still remain cut off from secondary education. Women's rights were severely curtailed during the Taliban's previous stint in power.

Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu dead at 90Tutu was famously outspoken, even after the fall of the racist apartheid regime. JOHANNESBURG: South African anti-apartheid icon Desmond Tutu, described as the country's moral compass, died on Sunday aged 90, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. "The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is another chapter of bereavement in our nation's farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa," he said in a statement. "Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight that faith without works is dead," he said. It was Tutu who coined and popularised the term "Rainbow Nation" to describe South Africa when Nelson Mandela became the country's first black president.