Siam Commercial Bank PCL (SCB), following its policy of business partnership with Thai SMEs, recently hosted a press visit to SCB client KHT Central Supply Group (KHT), ASEAN's Number One Leader in Laundry Equipment. KHT is a leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial laundry equipment under the “Image” brand. Growing despite the economic crisis, the group revealed strategies for succeeding amid global competition and weathering the current economic crisis, and techniques for tapping into new markets. KHT also shared tips for success for Thai SMEs, including adaptation to changes and being alert to all risk factors.
SCB Executive Vice President Dr. Vivat Kittiphongkosol said, “The Electronics and appliance industry is ranked among Thailand's top in exports. There are potential businesses in this sector, particularly laundry equipment. Thai manufacturers are quite few, due to tough competition with rivals – mostly big global brands. KHT Central Supply Group is a manufacturer and distributor of laundry equipment for industrial use such as hospitals and hotels. The group's sales are at the top in ASEAN, the second in Asia, and 14th worldwide. KHT is a Thai SME success story amid the current economic turmoil.”
Accurate Technologies Co., Ltd. is a KHT company. Its Managing Director Visan Mahachavaroj said, “KHT is a provider of full-ranged industrial laundry equipment. We have been in the industry for over 30 years. The group is a manufacturer of laundry equipment, and 75% of our products are for export. We are also a distributor of chemical laundry supplies, and a provider of laundry service to businesses, with an average daily volume of 30 tons.”
“KHT is a family business. In the beginning, we were a distributor of detergents to hospitals. Seeing a market opportunity for laundry equipment in Thailand, we then imported the equipment from the USA, and SCB has supported us since 1992. We have taken business development seriously, starting with laundry equipment assembly. We developed product designs, technology, and effectiveness to meet industrial standards. Then we tackled building our own “Image”brand. At first, it was a lot of trouble, as our brand was relatively unknown and the market was dominated by major global brands. To create strength for the “Image”brand, we developed products to meet universal customer needs, and KHT now has the widest product range in the world. We can offer competitive price to battle foreign brands. As a result, we can rapidly tap into more and more domestic and overseas markets. At present, we are number one in Thailand, with the largest market share--40% market share in the hotel sector and 90% in the hospital sector. For overseas markets, our products are exported worldwide to 50 countries in Asia, Europe, the USA, Australia, and the Middle East.
A strength that makes KHT superior to foreign rivals is product differentiation. Our products are highly effective, particularly our washers. Image washers are designed for long operation, up to 24 hours, and have a spinning capacity of over 300G, which improves cleaning effectiveness. This responds to the needs of our foreign clients. We have to compete with rivals. Although there are a few brands in the market, they all are global brands. Service is also our priority, so we have customer service centers to thoroughly serve clients in every industrial sector. With teams of expert customer service staff and technicians, we are always ready to provide our clients with advice and product maintenance.
As for KHT's business plan for the next 5 years, the group aims at being among the world's top 5 players. For our continuous growth, we will tap into more overseas markets. The success of KHT is a result of our choice to be different from other SMEs. We have entered into an industry with unique markets. Despite major competitors, we can effectively compete with them with high-quality products. We hope our success can inspire Thai SMEs to weather crises with strength. We are also proud to be a vital driver behind Thailand's electronic and appliance industry.”
SCB is determined to be a business partner for Thai SMEs in the same way as its partnership with KHT for over 16 years. The Bank is ready to support Thai SME success in global competition, to inspire or serve as a model for other entrepreneurs to apply to their businesses and adapt to changes. Thai SMEs then can further their businesses and drive the economy forward to sustainable growth.
Monday, May 25, 2009
UPI NewsTrack Business
Two U.S. banks seized, making 36 failures
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., May 23 (UPI) -- Two Illinois banks have been shuttered by regulators, marking the 35th and 36th bank closings in the United States so far this year, officials said.
Strategic Capital Bank of Champaign and Citizens National Bank of Macomb were closed Friday, Marketwatch reported.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Strategic Capital had $471 million in deposits and $537 million in assets as of May 13, with Midland States Bank of Effingham, Ill., agreeing to acquire about $536 million worth of Strategic Capital's assets.
Morton Community Bank of Morton, Ill., meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to assume Citizens National's roughly $400 million in deposits and $437 million in assets.
Analysts told The Wall Street Journal the two Illinois bank seizures are the latest evidence that smaller banks across the United States are being squeezed by mortgage and other loan-related losses.
The newspaper said the 36 failures in 2009 are 11 more than the 25 recorded for all of last year, with dozens more banks expected to collapse through 2010.
FDIC board votes for more assessments
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. says it will charge banks more to insure investors' deposits as bank failures drain FDIC insurance funds.
The agency's five-member board voted Friday to collect larger assessments from banks at a time when many such institutions are scrambling for funds just to stay in business and were warning that higher FDIC taxes will mean less money available to lend to customers, The Washington Post reported.
Especially targeted by the FDIC board were the largest U.S. banks with at least $100 billion in assets, which will have to pay about $500 million more than was previously planned.
FDIC Director Sheila Bair said it was fair to hit the biggest banks with higher assessments because 'over the past 18 months, large banks, as a group, have posed much greater risks to the banking system than small banks have,' the Post reported.
Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan argued against raising the FDIC assessments, saying hitting larger banks was 'frankly perverse' because the insurance fund was being tapped mostly because of the failures of dozens of smaller banks, the newspaper said.
Bankrupt Hartmarx accepts $119M bid
CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI) -- Bankrupt Chicago clothing manufacturer Hartmarx says it has accepted a joint takeover bid from a London private equity firm and an Indian suitmaker.
The company said in court filings Friday that it has approved a $119 million stalking horse bid for all its assets from Emerisque Brands U.K. Limited and SKNL North America B.V., The Chicago Tribune reported.
As a stalking horse bid, the Emerisque-SKNL proposal will be used to establish a framework for other potential bids as Hartmarx -- the preferred clothier of U.S. President Barack Obama -- prepares for a June 25 bankruptcy court hearing and a possible July 9 appearance to approve the sale of the company to Emerisque-SKNL or a different successful bidder, the newspaper said.
Emerisque gave Hartmarx a deadline to act this week on its third and final bid. The Tribune said the firm has worked on the turnarounds of such brands as Puma, Ben Sherman and Lee Cooper, while SKNL of India has announced an intent to expand internationally through acquisitions.
Liquidation rather than a sale of the suitmaker remains a possibility as Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) , Hartmarx's chief lender, is reportedly pushing for that outcome.
BofA: Mortgage holders get $823M in relief
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Troubled U.S. homeowners could save up to $823 million from a predatory lending settlement reached this week with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) , state officials say.
Under the terms of the deal, Bank of America neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but agreed to modify the terms of 390,000 subprime and 'option ARM' mortgages originated by Countrywide Financial Corp., which was acquired by BofA last year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The bank has so far modified 50,000 of the mortgages, a report provided to state attorneys general in California, Florida, Illinois and elsewhere this week indicated. They had sued BofA saying Countrywide's marketing and sale of such risky mortgages constituted predatory lending, the Journal said.
Subprime and option ARM mortgage holders with modified plans are saving an average of $195 per month in principal and interest payments, with biggest savings reportedly going to option ARM holders at $311 per month, Bank of America says.
The Journal said BofA has reported that 11,000 borrowers and tenants living in foreclosed buildings who didn't qualify for its loan modification efforts have collected $22.4 million in relocation assistance.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., May 23 (UPI) -- Two Illinois banks have been shuttered by regulators, marking the 35th and 36th bank closings in the United States so far this year, officials said.
Strategic Capital Bank of Champaign and Citizens National Bank of Macomb were closed Friday, Marketwatch reported.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Strategic Capital had $471 million in deposits and $537 million in assets as of May 13, with Midland States Bank of Effingham, Ill., agreeing to acquire about $536 million worth of Strategic Capital's assets.
Morton Community Bank of Morton, Ill., meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to assume Citizens National's roughly $400 million in deposits and $437 million in assets.
Analysts told The Wall Street Journal the two Illinois bank seizures are the latest evidence that smaller banks across the United States are being squeezed by mortgage and other loan-related losses.
The newspaper said the 36 failures in 2009 are 11 more than the 25 recorded for all of last year, with dozens more banks expected to collapse through 2010.
FDIC board votes for more assessments
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. says it will charge banks more to insure investors' deposits as bank failures drain FDIC insurance funds.
The agency's five-member board voted Friday to collect larger assessments from banks at a time when many such institutions are scrambling for funds just to stay in business and were warning that higher FDIC taxes will mean less money available to lend to customers, The Washington Post reported.
Especially targeted by the FDIC board were the largest U.S. banks with at least $100 billion in assets, which will have to pay about $500 million more than was previously planned.
FDIC Director Sheila Bair said it was fair to hit the biggest banks with higher assessments because 'over the past 18 months, large banks, as a group, have posed much greater risks to the banking system than small banks have,' the Post reported.
Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan argued against raising the FDIC assessments, saying hitting larger banks was 'frankly perverse' because the insurance fund was being tapped mostly because of the failures of dozens of smaller banks, the newspaper said.
Bankrupt Hartmarx accepts $119M bid
CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI) -- Bankrupt Chicago clothing manufacturer Hartmarx says it has accepted a joint takeover bid from a London private equity firm and an Indian suitmaker.
The company said in court filings Friday that it has approved a $119 million stalking horse bid for all its assets from Emerisque Brands U.K. Limited and SKNL North America B.V., The Chicago Tribune reported.
As a stalking horse bid, the Emerisque-SKNL proposal will be used to establish a framework for other potential bids as Hartmarx -- the preferred clothier of U.S. President Barack Obama -- prepares for a June 25 bankruptcy court hearing and a possible July 9 appearance to approve the sale of the company to Emerisque-SKNL or a different successful bidder, the newspaper said.
Emerisque gave Hartmarx a deadline to act this week on its third and final bid. The Tribune said the firm has worked on the turnarounds of such brands as Puma, Ben Sherman and Lee Cooper, while SKNL of India has announced an intent to expand internationally through acquisitions.
Liquidation rather than a sale of the suitmaker remains a possibility as Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) , Hartmarx's chief lender, is reportedly pushing for that outcome.
BofA: Mortgage holders get $823M in relief
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Troubled U.S. homeowners could save up to $823 million from a predatory lending settlement reached this week with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) , state officials say.
Under the terms of the deal, Bank of America neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but agreed to modify the terms of 390,000 subprime and 'option ARM' mortgages originated by Countrywide Financial Corp., which was acquired by BofA last year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The bank has so far modified 50,000 of the mortgages, a report provided to state attorneys general in California, Florida, Illinois and elsewhere this week indicated. They had sued BofA saying Countrywide's marketing and sale of such risky mortgages constituted predatory lending, the Journal said.
Subprime and option ARM mortgage holders with modified plans are saving an average of $195 per month in principal and interest payments, with biggest savings reportedly going to option ARM holders at $311 per month, Bank of America says.
The Journal said BofA has reported that 11,000 borrowers and tenants living in foreclosed buildings who didn't qualify for its loan modification efforts have collected $22.4 million in relocation assistance.
UPI NewsTrack Business
Two U.S. banks seized, making 36 failures
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., May 23 (UPI) -- Two Illinois banks have been shuttered by regulators, marking the 35th and 36th bank closings in the United States so far this year, officials said.
Strategic Capital Bank of Champaign and Citizens National Bank of Macomb were closed Friday, Marketwatch reported.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Strategic Capital had $471 million in deposits and $537 million in assets as of May 13, with Midland States Bank of Effingham, Ill., agreeing to acquire about $536 million worth of Strategic Capital's assets.
Morton Community Bank of Morton, Ill., meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to assume Citizens National's roughly $400 million in deposits and $437 million in assets.
Analysts told The Wall Street Journal the two Illinois bank seizures are the latest evidence that smaller banks across the United States are being squeezed by mortgage and other loan-related losses.
The newspaper said the 36 failures in 2009 are 11 more than the 25 recorded for all of last year, with dozens more banks expected to collapse through 2010.
FDIC board votes for more assessments
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. says it will charge banks more to insure investors' deposits as bank failures drain FDIC insurance funds.
The agency's five-member board voted Friday to collect larger assessments from banks at a time when many such institutions are scrambling for funds just to stay in business and were warning that higher FDIC taxes will mean less money available to lend to customers, The Washington Post reported.
Especially targeted by the FDIC board were the largest U.S. banks with at least $100 billion in assets, which will have to pay about $500 million more than was previously planned.
FDIC Director Sheila Bair said it was fair to hit the biggest banks with higher assessments because 'over the past 18 months, large banks, as a group, have posed much greater risks to the banking system than small banks have,' the Post reported.
Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan argued against raising the FDIC assessments, saying hitting larger banks was 'frankly perverse' because the insurance fund was being tapped mostly because of the failures of dozens of smaller banks, the newspaper said.
Bankrupt Hartmarx accepts $119M bid
CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI) -- Bankrupt Chicago clothing manufacturer Hartmarx says it has accepted a joint takeover bid from a London private equity firm and an Indian suitmaker.
The company said in court filings Friday that it has approved a $119 million stalking horse bid for all its assets from Emerisque Brands U.K. Limited and SKNL North America B.V., The Chicago Tribune reported.
As a stalking horse bid, the Emerisque-SKNL proposal will be used to establish a framework for other potential bids as Hartmarx -- the preferred clothier of U.S. President Barack Obama -- prepares for a June 25 bankruptcy court hearing and a possible July 9 appearance to approve the sale of the company to Emerisque-SKNL or a different successful bidder, the newspaper said.
Emerisque gave Hartmarx a deadline to act this week on its third and final bid. The Tribune said the firm has worked on the turnarounds of such brands as Puma, Ben Sherman and Lee Cooper, while SKNL of India has announced an intent to expand internationally through acquisitions.
Liquidation rather than a sale of the suitmaker remains a possibility as Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) , Hartmarx's chief lender, is reportedly pushing for that outcome.
BofA: Mortgage holders get $823M in relief
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Troubled U.S. homeowners could save up to $823 million from a predatory lending settlement reached this week with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) , state officials say.
Under the terms of the deal, Bank of America neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but agreed to modify the terms of 390,000 subprime and 'option ARM' mortgages originated by Countrywide Financial Corp., which was acquired by BofA last year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The bank has so far modified 50,000 of the mortgages, a report provided to state attorneys general in California, Florida, Illinois and elsewhere this week indicated. They had sued BofA saying Countrywide's marketing and sale of such risky mortgages constituted predatory lending, the Journal said.
Subprime and option ARM mortgage holders with modified plans are saving an average of $195 per month in principal and interest payments, with biggest savings reportedly going to option ARM holders at $311 per month, Bank of America says.
The Journal said BofA has reported that 11,000 borrowers and tenants living in foreclosed buildings who didn't qualify for its loan modification efforts have collected $22.4 million in relocation assistance.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., May 23 (UPI) -- Two Illinois banks have been shuttered by regulators, marking the 35th and 36th bank closings in the United States so far this year, officials said.
Strategic Capital Bank of Champaign and Citizens National Bank of Macomb were closed Friday, Marketwatch reported.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Strategic Capital had $471 million in deposits and $537 million in assets as of May 13, with Midland States Bank of Effingham, Ill., agreeing to acquire about $536 million worth of Strategic Capital's assets.
Morton Community Bank of Morton, Ill., meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to assume Citizens National's roughly $400 million in deposits and $437 million in assets.
Analysts told The Wall Street Journal the two Illinois bank seizures are the latest evidence that smaller banks across the United States are being squeezed by mortgage and other loan-related losses.
The newspaper said the 36 failures in 2009 are 11 more than the 25 recorded for all of last year, with dozens more banks expected to collapse through 2010.
FDIC board votes for more assessments
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. says it will charge banks more to insure investors' deposits as bank failures drain FDIC insurance funds.
The agency's five-member board voted Friday to collect larger assessments from banks at a time when many such institutions are scrambling for funds just to stay in business and were warning that higher FDIC taxes will mean less money available to lend to customers, The Washington Post reported.
Especially targeted by the FDIC board were the largest U.S. banks with at least $100 billion in assets, which will have to pay about $500 million more than was previously planned.
FDIC Director Sheila Bair said it was fair to hit the biggest banks with higher assessments because 'over the past 18 months, large banks, as a group, have posed much greater risks to the banking system than small banks have,' the Post reported.
Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan argued against raising the FDIC assessments, saying hitting larger banks was 'frankly perverse' because the insurance fund was being tapped mostly because of the failures of dozens of smaller banks, the newspaper said.
Bankrupt Hartmarx accepts $119M bid
CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI) -- Bankrupt Chicago clothing manufacturer Hartmarx says it has accepted a joint takeover bid from a London private equity firm and an Indian suitmaker.
The company said in court filings Friday that it has approved a $119 million stalking horse bid for all its assets from Emerisque Brands U.K. Limited and SKNL North America B.V., The Chicago Tribune reported.
As a stalking horse bid, the Emerisque-SKNL proposal will be used to establish a framework for other potential bids as Hartmarx -- the preferred clothier of U.S. President Barack Obama -- prepares for a June 25 bankruptcy court hearing and a possible July 9 appearance to approve the sale of the company to Emerisque-SKNL or a different successful bidder, the newspaper said.
Emerisque gave Hartmarx a deadline to act this week on its third and final bid. The Tribune said the firm has worked on the turnarounds of such brands as Puma, Ben Sherman and Lee Cooper, while SKNL of India has announced an intent to expand internationally through acquisitions.
Liquidation rather than a sale of the suitmaker remains a possibility as Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE:WFC) , Hartmarx's chief lender, is reportedly pushing for that outcome.
BofA: Mortgage holders get $823M in relief
WASHINGTON, May 23 (UPI) -- Troubled U.S. homeowners could save up to $823 million from a predatory lending settlement reached this week with Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) , state officials say.
Under the terms of the deal, Bank of America neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing but agreed to modify the terms of 390,000 subprime and 'option ARM' mortgages originated by Countrywide Financial Corp., which was acquired by BofA last year, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The bank has so far modified 50,000 of the mortgages, a report provided to state attorneys general in California, Florida, Illinois and elsewhere this week indicated. They had sued BofA saying Countrywide's marketing and sale of such risky mortgages constituted predatory lending, the Journal said.
Subprime and option ARM mortgage holders with modified plans are saving an average of $195 per month in principal and interest payments, with biggest savings reportedly going to option ARM holders at $311 per month, Bank of America says.
The Journal said BofA has reported that 11,000 borrowers and tenants living in foreclosed buildings who didn't qualify for its loan modification efforts have collected $22.4 million in relocation assistance.
Slovenia's 2009 GDP to drop 2.7 pct.
Slovenia's gross domestic product will drop 2.7 percent for all of 2009, while in 2010 the economy will recover and rise 1.4 percent, economists said.
The GDP decline was mainly caused by a drop in exports due to a financial crisis in the euro-zone and stricter borrowing conditions which hurt Slovenia's open economy, seriously hit by the global economic crisis, the Slovenian news agency STA (OOTC:SRPIF) said Monday, quoting a report by the International Monetary Fund.
In 2009, Slovenia's trade, production and investments declined drastically, while unemployment and the public debt went up.
The country's unemployment is likely to reach 6.2 percent this year, compared with 4.4 percent in 2008, and in 2010 is expected to drop to 6.1 percent.
IMF experts forecast Slovenian annual inflation in 2009 will be 0.5 percent, a considerable improvement when compared with 5.7 percent in 2008. In 2010, the inflation would be 1.5 percent.
The GDP decline was mainly caused by a drop in exports due to a financial crisis in the euro-zone and stricter borrowing conditions which hurt Slovenia's open economy, seriously hit by the global economic crisis, the Slovenian news agency STA (OOTC:SRPIF) said Monday, quoting a report by the International Monetary Fund.
In 2009, Slovenia's trade, production and investments declined drastically, while unemployment and the public debt went up.
The country's unemployment is likely to reach 6.2 percent this year, compared with 4.4 percent in 2008, and in 2010 is expected to drop to 6.1 percent.
IMF experts forecast Slovenian annual inflation in 2009 will be 0.5 percent, a considerable improvement when compared with 5.7 percent in 2008. In 2010, the inflation would be 1.5 percent.
Telemarketing company allegedly hid name
Telemarketers for a Florida company accused of violating consumer laws by using 'robocalls' were urged to never mention its name, a former employee says.
Transcontinental Warranty Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had been slapped with a restraining order by a U.S. District Judge in Chicago after a Federal Trade Commission investigation determined it had used such illegal 'robocalls' and made misrepresentations in selling its car warranty products. A former employee told Monday's Los Angeles Times that telemarketers were instructed never to reveal the company's name to angry consumers.
'I understood it to be an acceptable practice at Transcontinental to say whatever was necessary to get the consumer to divulge his or her credit card number,' said Mark Israel, who worked the evening shift with about 30 other operators. 'Telemarketers were only disciplined for disclosing Transcontinental's name.'
The FTC alleges the company made illegal random automated 'cold calls' while pretending to know something specific about the consumers' car warranties when they responded.
'It was never, nor does it remain now our position that we have knowingly violated the best practices of telemarketing,' Transcontinental Chairman Chistopher Cowart told the Times in a prepared statement.
Transcontinental Warranty Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had been slapped with a restraining order by a U.S. District Judge in Chicago after a Federal Trade Commission investigation determined it had used such illegal 'robocalls' and made misrepresentations in selling its car warranty products. A former employee told Monday's Los Angeles Times that telemarketers were instructed never to reveal the company's name to angry consumers.
'I understood it to be an acceptable practice at Transcontinental to say whatever was necessary to get the consumer to divulge his or her credit card number,' said Mark Israel, who worked the evening shift with about 30 other operators. 'Telemarketers were only disciplined for disclosing Transcontinental's name.'
The FTC alleges the company made illegal random automated 'cold calls' while pretending to know something specific about the consumers' car warranties when they responded.
'It was never, nor does it remain now our position that we have knowingly violated the best practices of telemarketing,' Transcontinental Chairman Chistopher Cowart told the Times in a prepared statement.
Hungary's 2009 GDP to drop 6.7 pct.
The Hungarian National Bank forecasts the country's gross domestic product will decline 6.7 percent for all 2009, revised figures showed Monday.
The central bank's earlier report estimated the GDP would drop 3.5 percent this year, the Hungarian news agency MTI reported.
The bank's projection see the annual inflation rate of 4.5 percent in 2009, instead of an earlier estimate of 4.2 percent.
In 2010, Hungary's economy is to drop 0.9 percent and its annual inflation will amount to 4.3 percent.
The central bank's earlier report estimated the GDP would drop 3.5 percent this year, the Hungarian news agency MTI reported.
The bank's projection see the annual inflation rate of 4.5 percent in 2009, instead of an earlier estimate of 4.2 percent.
In 2010, Hungary's economy is to drop 0.9 percent and its annual inflation will amount to 4.3 percent.
Many Swedes back adopting euro
A plurality of Swedes is in favor of ditching the kronor and adopting the euro as the nation's currency, a poll indicates.
The survey by the polling firm Novus on behalf of the Liberal Party was published in the Dagens Nyheter newspaper Monday. It indicated that 47 percent of Swedes backed a move to the euro with 44 percent against it, the Swedish news agency TT reported.
The poll showed male voters more strongly in favor of the euro with 50 percent in favor and 42 percent against, while the corresponding figures among women voters were 44-46 percent. The numbers presented a big change from the results of a 2003 referendum on adopting the euro, in which 56 percent voted to reject the idea while 42 percent were in favor, TT said.
Many members of two Swedish parties that favor adopting the euro, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, do not agree with their party leaders and continue to voice strong opposition to the currency in the new poll, the news agency said.
Novus said it interviewed 1,000 Swedes between May 5-12 for the poll.
The survey by the polling firm Novus on behalf of the Liberal Party was published in the Dagens Nyheter newspaper Monday. It indicated that 47 percent of Swedes backed a move to the euro with 44 percent against it, the Swedish news agency TT reported.
The poll showed male voters more strongly in favor of the euro with 50 percent in favor and 42 percent against, while the corresponding figures among women voters were 44-46 percent. The numbers presented a big change from the results of a 2003 referendum on adopting the euro, in which 56 percent voted to reject the idea while 42 percent were in favor, TT said.
Many members of two Swedish parties that favor adopting the euro, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, do not agree with their party leaders and continue to voice strong opposition to the currency in the new poll, the news agency said.
Novus said it interviewed 1,000 Swedes between May 5-12 for the poll.
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