Better sales in the Upcountry

[tawan3]

Clinique more active in provinces
Elca (Thailand) Ltd, an importer and distributor of premium makeup, skincare and frangrances, plans to put more emphasis on marketing in upcountry market for its Clinique brand, particularly in major provinces which have shown high growth potential since last year.

Elca's brand general manager Nunthawan Laosinchai said on Friday sales in upcountry market grew up to 20 per cent during its 2006 fiscal year (July 2006 to June 2007) while its sales in Bangkok grew only 5 per cent. Main reasons are good expansion of shopping malls in the upcountry market and emerging of significant amount of new customers.

She said the company would continue expanding its selling points following expansion of shopping malls aside from working harder to build strong brand awareness and create strong loyalty.


At early step, the company expects to open at least two selling point in Jungceylon shopping complex and Robinson department store in Phuket province.


- The Nation
Looks like good news for the Hub economy.

[tawan3]

New hub plan to lift exports
With the global economy likely to slow this year, the Commerce Ministry has launched a new local-regional hub plan to increase the ability of local enterprises to go international, so as to maintain export competitiveness and achieve export targets.


The ministry's target is 12.5-per-cent export growth or a value of US$145.9 billion (Bt5.17 trillion) this year.


Although the ministry has not officially reported export figures for January, they are estimated to reach $11 billion, an increase of 15 to 16 per cent, Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said yesterday.


He said that despite many negative factors, including the strengthening baht, the slowing world economy and oil-price rises, the government would aggressively boost exports this year and ensure sustainable growth.


Others negative factors such as uncertainty in politics, labour shortages and rising non-tariff barriers will also affect growth.


At yesterday's meeting in Bangkok with 56 Thai commercial counsellors from around the world, Krirk-krai instructed them to launch a strategic plan to boost export growth.


The local-regional hub idea is part of the ministry's plan to increase export competitiveness among local enterprises.


Krirk-krai said the new local hubs would link overseas trade offices to promote local enterprises in international markets, as well as promote border trade and investment.


"The fundamentals of our economic growth are based on local enterprises. Thus, the local regional hubs will increase not only the potential of Thai enterprises, but create links to international markets," he said.


The local regional hubs include the North, the South, the Northeast and the Central regions. The ministry's inspector-general will be responsible for hub management.


Petchanet Pratruangkrai


The Nation
More Hub growth

[fatbas***d]

I think the Commerce Minister has jsut read a book about Hubs, he mentions them 6 times but forgets to explain how they are meant to facilitate the growth in exports.
In fact apart from mentioning them with a vague proposal for location he explains NOTHING. Still he is a politician, waffling is what they do best.