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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Member
There is a definite air of contentment amongst Kiwis in Bangkok over recent days and its not due to the Governments lifting of the state of emergency. It has more to do with the outcome of the Tri-Nations & Bledisloe cup rugby decider between NZ and Australia. It was a memorable game in every respect and it capped a very successful series of southern hemisphere rugby matches with the new laws providing beneficial impact. To top it all off the Warriors, against the odds, were able to topple the top league side and open up a grand final opportunity.
Although the political scene remains uncertain, progress continues to be made on joint foreign chamber initiatives particularly through the work of its subcommittees. These committees on employment, taxation, ICT and customs are working to provide information and advice to the JFCCT so that a policy paper can be prepared for the next consultative meeting with the new Minister of Industry and the BOI scheduled for later this year. It was also pleasing to learn that the Ministry of Commerce is currently reviewing aspects of the FBA, particularly the possible relaxation of the List 3 activities which are prohibited to foreigners.
Next month our AGM will be held just before our usual CK networking event. On the agenda will be the election of a new committee and as we are always keen to see new faces, I would like to encourage members interested in standing for election to the committee to contact Julie Littlejohn regarding their nomination.
This month we have been circulating our Sponsorship Brochure for the NZ Black & White Ball 2009 which we are co-hosting with the NZ Society in February next year. There are several levels of sponsorship available for companies and individuals who would be keen to support this very popular event and benefit from the exposure to an audience of around 600 people. Please contact the Chamber if you would like to receive a copy of the brochure.
In terms of other upcoming events, we have been invited to team up with the Australian Chamber in an Ashes golf tournament against the British Chamber on Friday 21 November 2008. We will be keen to field as many teams as we can so interested participants should register early.
This month we are grateful to MBMG for being our CK sponsor and so we look forward to your support and company at this sociable networking event.
Kind regards
Cris Dunning
President
SEPTEMBER CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENTS
CORPORATE KNIGHT
Thursday 25th September 2008
Corporate Knight Networking Event
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel from 6:30pm. sponsored by:
MBMG International was established in 1995 as a financial services company specialising in the provision of investment planning advice to individuals residing in the Far East.
Today, MBMG continues to serve the investment planning needs of both foreign and local investors, (both private and corporate) from its base in Bangkok, Thailand and continues to maintain relationships with clients when they relocate to another overseas destination.
As an Independent Financial Advisory company (IFA) and intermediary, MBMG has access to a wide range of investment products provided by some of the worlds largest and most renowned offshore investment institutions. The award-winning international wealth management advice is provided in conjunction with MBMGs portfolio managers Midas MitonOptimal headed by New Zealander Chief Investment Officer, Scott Campbell.
The company also takes pride in continuing to meet the demands of its clients, by providing a unique range of value added services on an exclusive basis.
Inherent in MBMGs client-focused culture is the belief that every client, whether private or corporate, deserves the highest quality of financial advice commensurate with superior service.
KIWI CORNER
Some recent Kiwi Snippets and Quotes:
 The best and the worst of NZ towns and cities latest Lonely Planet guide.
Bay of Islands is a bit over-hyped, Christchurch is one of New Zealands most liveable cities, Dunedin is surprisingly artsy and Hamiltons stretch of bars and eateries leave Aucklands Viaduct for dead.
 IndyCar Success
New Zealand's Scott Dixon was beaten by the narrowest of margins in the Peak 300 in Chicago but was still able to celebrate his overall IndyCar championship title victory afterwards.
 Kindy disco too wild for neighbours
Noise control told an Auckland kindergarten to shut down its twilight disco for playing Bob the Builder too loud. A twilight disco for kindergarten kids was told to shut down by noise control for playing Bob the Builder too loud at 6:30pm on a Friday night
 Counting cows rather than sheep?
The price of milk has shot through the roof prompting even town folk to start running their own cows. It seems they have discovered the Dexter breed of town cow - low maintenance, cute and only about the size of a big dog. All people need is an acre and they cost around $400 to buy and $200 a year to keep. For that the owners get over 20 litres of milk a day, a free lawnmower, and a pet day calf for the kids.
 Kiwi golfer wins US Amateur Championships
New Zealand golfer Danny Lee wins US Amateur Championships to erase a certain Eldrick Tiger Woods from at least one record book. At 18 years and 32 days Lee became the youngest player to win the title since it was first contested in 1895, eclipsing Woods, who was more than six months older when he won the first of three.
DOING BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND & THAILAND BECOMES SMOOTHER
 Both New Zealand and Thailand have improved their rankings according to a survey compiled by the International Finance Corporation and World Bank.
New Zealand has been ranked the second easiest country after Singapore to do business in.
Thailand has improved six places to rank 13th. You can see details on the survey by clicking HERE
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome the following new members to the Chamber.
 Fisher Meats Limited
Business Type: Meat Importer
Fishers Meats has been processing meat since 1919 and has been a leader of the more progressive meat companies for more than a decade. Fishers specialise in the production of lightly marinated portion packed meat products. Fishers currently process and export from their facilities at Burnside, Dunedin, New Zealand and from Food Partners at Dinmore Brisbane, Australia.
Chamber Representative: Mr John Fisher
 Questor Capital (Thailand) Ltd
Business Type: Financial Services
Questor Capital (Thailand) Ltd is a subsidiary of Questor Group Ltd., a licensed and regulated comprehensive wealth management firm. Questor has offices in three strategic locations: Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia and Singapore.
Chamber Representatives: Ms Raewyn Keys and Mr Paul James
2008 NZ GENERAL ELECTION UPDATE
 The Government has just announced that New Zealand's General Election will be held on Saturday, 8 November 2008.
The New Zealand Chambers of Commerce (Inc), NZCCI, has sent a set of policy recommendations to all MPs of actions designed to enhance the business environment in New Zealand. The policy recommendations are contained within NZCCIs 2008 Election Manifesto which was launched today.
Policies to Improve Productivity and Grow the Economy provides a pragmatic stance on business and economic policy issues for political parties to consider - both before and after the election, said NZCCI Director, Charles Finny.
Among the key recommendations are:
- Leave the existing monetary policy framework alone
- A review of all government spending with a view to eliminating waste
- A reduction in the top personal tax rate be a priority as part of the next round of tax cuts and the implementation of a flatter tax structure
- An increased infrastructure investment including the use of more private sector investment including public private partnerships (PPPs)
- Establishment of a Productivity Commission
- Remove restrictions on thermal electricity generation
- A review of the Resource Management Act
ASEAN CONCLUDES AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND FREE TRADE TALKS
 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has concluded a free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand after three years of talks.
"The ministers welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations between ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand" for the free trade agreement (FTA), which started in March 2005, said a joint statement.
The 10-member bloc's economic ministers met with their counterparts from Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, as part of the 40th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting currently taking place in Singapore.
The comprehensive agreement covered trade in goods, investment, services, financial services, telecommunications, electronic commerce, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, competition policy and economic cooperation, it said.
The ministers saw the deal "as paving the way to enhancing the region's economic integration and acting as an impetus to deepen and broaden the trade and investment among the twelve participating countries," it added. The deal is expected to be signed in December 2008.
CARE TO SHARE YOUR COMMERCIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE IN THAILAND?
 JFCCT are asking for members with relevant skills and experience to join the JFCCT sub-committees.
The JFCCT sub-committees are :
* Employment Committee
* ICT Committee
* Customs Committee
* Tax Committee
If you are interested please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and she will forward the details.
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Chamber News 
