Joining the event for the first time, it displayed two high-end residential towers: Manhattan Chidlom and Aguston Sukhumvit 22.

"Our participation enabled us to showcase our projects to a discerning target audience comprising investors and end-users, as well as strengthening our presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council region," said managing director Suriyon Poolvoralaks.

"With the show achieving 35-per-cent growth this year and the huge turnout of high-profile visitors from around the globe, our participation has been a great success, and we look forward to next year's event."

Port services

The Port Authority of Thailand will extend its half-price service for cargo loading and discharging at Chiang Saen Port in Chiang Rai to the end of this year.

The port is used to transport goods to China along the Mekong River. It is popular for shipping fruits and vegetables. The half-price fees have been in operation for a year.

Auto parts

The Industry Ministry has urged auto-parts manufacturers to adjust their production in preparation for the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement signed this week.

Industrial Economics Department director-general Atchaka Brimble told a recent seminar that tariffs on auto parts would be cut to less than 20 per cent within five years.

Operators are being encouraged to improve their production standards to cope with an expected increase in imports from Japan.

Atchaka said Thailand was also expecting more competition from Vietnam, because of its lower labour costs.

Thailand is a major exporter of auto parts, with an export value of Bt360 billion a year. The industry employs 300,000 people.