Business
Thailand to legalize Grab Taxi in March 2020
The Thai government is taking steps to legalize Grab taxi services, expected to be effective from March 2020. The Grab motorcycle service is pending further study.

BANGKOK (NNT) – The government is taking steps to legalize Grab services, expected to be effective from March 2020, beginning with the Grab taxi service.
The Grab motorcycle service is pending further study.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul quoted Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob as saying the legalization of Grab services via their application will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration.
Ministerial regulations and conditions will also be defined for private vehicles to be used to provide Grab services and licenses will be issued for corporate operators of the Grab services.
Ms. Traisulee confirmed that the government has a policy to legalize public vehicle services via the use of applications to provide convenience and justice for the people.
Many private vehicles are currently being used for Grab services illegally, though they may raise good incomes for the operators.
The government has listened to the views of all parties involved with regards to the proposed legalization of the Grab taxi service.
Business
Thailand Approves Latest Economic Relief Package for Businesses
Some 250 billion baht (US$8 billion) was allocated for soft loans while the remaining 100 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) will go towards an ‘asset warehousing’ program whereby debtors can use their assets as loan collateral but will have the right to redeem their assets under a specific time frame.

On March 23, 2021, Thailand’s government approved its latest economic relief package, valued at 350 billion baht (US$11.2 billion), to support businesses in the country.
Business
Thailand BOI approves Biotech Projects Worth 2.4 Bln Baht ($78 million)
The biotechnology sector is part of the so-called BCG model (Bio, Circular and Green economy) which the Thai government has set as a priority to lead the post-Covid 19 recovery.

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) said today it has recently approved new projects in the field of advanced biotechnology, worth a combined 2.4 billion baht (around USD78 million) in investment, reflecting the increased interest of local and foreign investors in the country’s biotech sector.
Business
Asia-Pacific sees 3.9% growth in deal activity in February 2021

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region saw a 3.9% month-on-month growth in deal activity (mergers & acquisitions, private equity and venture financing deals) from 1,126 deals to 1,170 deals in February 2021, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
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