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1213 ET – Volvo Car is suffering from intense competition in China, but the Swedish carmaker’s chief commercial officer, Erik Severinson, still sees a path for his company to succeed in the world’s largest car market in the long run. Sales of premium cars made by Western companies are under pressure in China, while local players are fighting a price war to drive volumes, Severinson says in an interview. “Right now it is very difficult to compete in that market for everyone,” he says. Volvo is betting that new models with self-driving and infotainment systems, as well as differentiated interior designs, will make its cars more relevant to Chinese consumers, Severinson says. Volvo Car shares close 0.1% higher. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit Japan, the U.S., and the U.K. from September 20-27 for diplomatic and investment tasks, including attending the UNGA81 and meeting tech executives.

Key Points

• Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to visit Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from September 20 to 27 for diplomatic and economic engagements, including the UN General Assembly in New York. He will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.
• In Japan, Anutin will meet Thai athletes at the 20th Asian Games and lead a Team Thailand meeting. In New York, he will attend the UNGA81 opening, deliver Thailand’s statement, and engage with UN officials and global leaders. Economic discussions in the U.S. will feature an investor roundtable and meetings with major companies like Google.
• The trip will conclude in London, where Anutin will present Thailand’s economy to institutional investors with UBS, and hold discussions with Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce before returning to Thailand on September 27.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom from September 20 to 27 for diplomatic, economic, and investment engagements, including the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob will also join the mission. 

According to Government Spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises, the prime minister will begin the trip in Japan, meeting Thai athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games and chairing a Team Thailand meeting on September 21. In New York, he will attend the UNGA81 opening and General Debate and deliver Thailand’s statement on September 24, alongside meetings with the UN Secretary-General and leaders from several countries.

Economic engagements in the United States will include an investor roundtable with Bank of America and Jefferies, talks with PIMCO and a dinner hosted by the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Anutin will also meet senior Google executives, while Chaichanok will discuss cooperation on AI, digital infrastructure, workforce skills, and technology investment with major technology companies.

The delegation will then travel to London, where Anutin and Thai capital-market executives will meet with institutional investors, in cooperation with UBS, to present Thailand’s economy and investment opportunities. Meetings with Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce are also scheduled before the delegation returns to Thailand on September 27.

Source : Thai PM Leads Overseas Mission to Expand Trade and Investment