"We will start our services a week before Suvarnabhumi Airport begins full operations in order to give our staff time to familiarise themselves with the new equipment and systems," Bangkok Airways vice president of corporate communications ML Nandhika Varavarn said yesterday. - The Nation.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT: New Sukhumvit condo project launched

Major Development has launched a new condominium project worth Bt2 billion on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, to be called "Aguston Sukhumvit 22." It will target the middle to high-end market.

Executive director Petrada Poolvoralaks said yesterday the project would have two towers, with 118 units occupying 24 storeys in one and 151 units occupying 35 storeys in the other. The project will also have bowling lanes and a golf centre with a virtual golf simulator and putting greens, making it different from other condominiums in the same area, she said. - The Nation.

CONSOLIDATION: Market research companies merge

Power and Associates (JD Power), one of the world's largest market research firms and a leading provider of customer-satisfaction research, has announced its acquisition of Automotive Resources Asia (ARA), a market strategy and information firm specialising in Asia's automobile markets.

The move, which will merge global and local information agencies, is aimed at satisfying booming demand in China and fuelling further expansion.

ARA's market information has helped auto-makers and suppliers compete effectively in the world's fastest-growing automotive markets, in China and the Asean region. The company, which was founded in 1993, is based in Thailand and registered in Shanghai.

"The philosophies and capabilities of ARA and JD Power are such a good match that we decided jointly to bring ARA's people and knowledge into the JD Power business," said Michael J Dunne, former president of ARA who is about to become vice-president of JD Power Asia-Pacific. - The Nation.

INVESTMENT: Foreign money flows to Vietnamese funds

Vietnam 's Finance Ministry said 19 foreign investment funds had brought US$2 billion (Bt74.5 billion) in foreign indirect investment (FII) capital to the country.

Commenting on the announcement, experts said the foreign investment flow into Vietnam since 2002 had increased considerably, with more and more foreign funds making investment deals. Economists have mentioned a so-called "third wave" of foreign indirect investment in Vietnam, believing it will be bigger and stronger than previous such surges.

However, Deputy Finance Minister Tran Van Ta said the volume of FII capital remains modest. Vietnam needs between $140 billion and $150 billion in the next five years to fund investment and development, and $2 billion to $3 billion "will not be enough." Finance Science Institute head Nguyen Thi Mui said the FII volume was relatively low when compared to the foreign direct investment (FDI) flow. The FII volume is just 2 per cent to 3 per cent of FDI in Vietnam, while the figure is 30 per cent to 40 per cent in other countries. - The Nation.

BIFF&BIL: Young designers get to show their chops

The Bangkok International Fashion Fair 2006 and the Bangkok International Leather Fair 2006 (BIFF&BIL), which will combine to open at the Bangkok International Trade and Convention Centre from September 27 to October 1, are expected to continue playing a significant part in introducing new Thai designers to the international marketplace.

The Export Promotion Department's Office of Product Development for Export initiated the Young Designers Project in 2002, to provide business management, marketing and brand-building assistance to talented but inexperienced designers. Since then the Young Designers' Room has been a major highlight of the annual BIFF&BIL event, providing a platform for Thai designers to showcase their creativity in fashionable garments, leather goods and accessories to international buyers. - The Nation.