The Thai Rubber Association organized the annual dinner on May 10, 2013 at Centara Grand, CentralWorld, Bangkok for the celebration of rubber industry prosperity and for the rendez-vous of brothers and sisters in rubber business community. On May 9, 2013, TRA also organized a night golf tournament at Pinehurst Golf & Country Club, Patumthani. Additionally, TRA served as a host organization of the 18th meeting of ASEAN Rubber Business Council in conjunction with the annual dinner, attended by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. TRA invited delegates from various government agencies, private organizations, dignitaries, rubber businessmen from both in the country and abroad. Over 1,000 guests attended this special event. It was our honour to invite His Excellency, Mr. Yuttapong Jarassathien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives to participate and deliver an open speech. The key address is as follows.
Since October 2011, NR prices have dropped sharply due to Eurozone debt crisis and slowing global economy. The Thai government sought to solve the problem of falling rubber prices and maintain the price stability. The Thai government agreed upon rubber growers’ potential development project to stabilize rubber prices and allocated BHT 15 billion for its existing domestic market operation and another BHT 30 billion for the Rubber Fund. Additionally, the Thai government has a policy to increase domestic consumption such as the usage of rubber in road construction applying asphalt. The initial project is implemented at National Highway 44 at Ao Luek – Bang Sawan, Krabi. Furthermore, Thailand joins with Malaysia in the establishment of rubber city for value addition and stable price.
In response to NR falling prices, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, under ITRC framework had a meeting in August 2012 to discuss rubber situation and NR price stabilization. The meeting was of consensus that the three countries restrict export quantity in line with Agreed Export Tonnage Scheme (AETS) during October 2012 – March 2013. The Thai government agreed upon a royal decree setting up Rubber Authority of Thailand as a central body directing the country’s integrated rubber management and administration as well as promoting Thailand as the world’s center of rubber product industry. It is expected that the royal decree will be enforced within this year.
He insisted that concrete cooperation and close coordination among countries concerned is necessary for the achievement of our common goal in establishing a fair and stable price for maximum benefit of all.
TRA Annual Dinner 2013 received a huge success contributed by cooperation from government sector and both domestic and foreign private sectors, especially cooperation and spirit of TRA executive committee members and association members. On behalf of the Thai Rubber Association, I wish to thank everybody concerned. I consider this special occasion a big step towards closer relation in the rubber industry among the producing and the consuming countries.
TRA Annual Dinner 2013