Over the past year, a team of experts from the Genevabased International Trade Centre (ITC) has been working with Thailand's National Innovation Agency and National Bureau for Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards to develop a sevenpoint action plan for organicfood producers.

Funding of ¤161,267 (Bt7.78 million) for the initiative was provided by the Asia Trust Fund. Supported by the EU, the fund is managed by the ITC and provides traderelated technical assistance to developing countries in Asia.

The delegation said Thai organic produce was in high demand in Europe. Although the market is still relatively small, it has grown 145 per cent since 2002 and was worth US$23 million (Bt864 million) last year.

However, exporters still face challenges in meeting EU foodsafety and certification regulations, as well as the needs of food importers. - The Nation.

Mitsui wins contract

Mitsui and Co Ltd and Toshiba Corporation have been awarded a contract worth 11 billion yen (Bt3.53 billion) to supply the main generating equipment for the Nam Nguem 2 hydroelectric project in Laos, for which the principal promoter is Thailand's Ch Karnchang Plc.

Under a contract signed on Monday, Mitsui and Toshiba will supply and install three 205megawatt hydroelectric turbines and generators, for a total capacity of 615MW. Commercial operation is expected to begin in 2010.

The Nam Nguem 2 hydroelectric power station was built by Southeast Asia Energy, a company established by Ch Karnchang Plc and others. It will supply electricity to Thailand for more than 30 years. - The Nation.

Winning wines

Siam Winery's Monsoon Valley Shiraz Special Reserve (Red) 2004 has won bronze medals in two international wine competitions.

One was awarded by the 2006 London International Wine and Spirit Competition and the other by Portugal's Wine Master Challenge 2006.

The London competition, which is aimed at promoting the quality of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs, received more than 5,000 entries from at least 50 countries. The Portuguese event was run by Menu magazine and featured 3,712 wines from around the world. - The Nation.

Proud partnership

The British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand is celebrating 60 years of partnership by staging a threeday exhibition - "ThaiUK 2006" - at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, starting on Thursday.

UK Trade and Investment, a government organisation supporting British companies doing business internationally and foreign businesses seeking to locate to the UK, is one of the event's supporters. - The Nation.