FTI announces readiness to certify Made in Thailand products, backing 3 strategic industries
The Federation of Thai Industries, or FTI, has announced its readiness to certify Made in Thailand, or MiT, products for operators in three target industries, after the National Industrial Development Committee approved the proposal in principle on August 13, 2026. The proposal sets up a mechanism to raise the potential of the economic industries through government procurement that promotes the use of domestically produced goods, focusing on three high-value economic industries: the defence industry, the rail system industry, and the medical device industry. For the defence industry, the budget for strengthening the armed forces in 2026 is worth 34.076 billion baht, and imports in 2025 came to about 83.518 billion baht, yet the state purchased only 2% from domestic operators. As for the rail system industry, the Ministry of Transport plans to procure rail systems between 2024 and 2034, including locomotives, passenger carriages, and freight cars, with a total value of 203.86 billion baht. For the medical device industry, imports in 2025 reached as high as 95.185 billion baht, compared with a budget base from disbursements of the three main public health security funds totalling more than 35 billion to 42 billion baht per year during 2022 to 2026. Pimjai Leeswadnukul, president of the FTI, said that if the government shifts its policy from imports to purchasing domestically produced goods, it will help reduce the use of foreign currency, circulate money within the economy, and expand the potential of Thai operators into export markets. Products that pass MiT certification will receive a 5% price advantage in government procurement. The FTI has set four criteria for issuing certificates to accommodate a variety of production formats. Operators ready to enter the government procurement market can apply for MiT certification from now on.
US, Denmark and Greenland Close Security Deal, Paving Way for Permanent US Military Presence
Denmark and Greenland have confirmed that the security agreement being drafted with the United States will not affect the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, after President Donald Trump said the deal would give the US a long-term controlling role in Greenland's security. The agreement will open the way for the US military to significantly expand its role and presence in Greenland, while imposing restrictions to prevent countries the US regards as rivals from establishing military bases or investing in ventures deemed sensitive without US approval. The US already holds rights to overflight, access and basing in Greenland under an agreement dating from 1951, and the new deal will upgrade those rights to a more permanent character, covering restrictions on non-NATO countries establishing bases in Greenland as well as screening of certain types of investment. A formal signing is expected during next week's United Nations General Assembly. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed that the agreement still affirms sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of Greenland's people to determine their own future. NATO said it welcomed the agreement, seeing it as helping to strengthen security, stability and cooperation in the Arctic region. Earlier, the European Union announced a 200 million euro investment plan for Greenland, or about 232 million US dollars, focused on critical minerals, satellite communications and renewable energy, and offered to raise its support budget for Greenland over the 2028-2036 period to 530 million euros, up from 225 million euros under the current budget framework.
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US approves $2.7 billion arms sale to Ukraine
The US State Department has approved a proposed military arms sale to Ukraine worth up to $2.7 billion, according to a notification to Congress on the evening of Friday, September 18. The package covers upgrades to air defense systems, weapons and equipment, as well as related equipment and services, including S-300 replica missiles, GAM-67 missiles, longer-range laser-guided rockets, launcher modification kits and mobile firing systems, and counter-drone radars. However, the proposal still requires congressional review, and no final agreement has been reached. If the sale is completed, Ukraine will use funding from European countries together with the US Foreign Military Financing budget, which was allocated during the administration of former US President Joe Biden. The State Department said US funding for this sale will be counted as a contribution to the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund under a one-to-one reimbursement agreement; the fund was established under a minerals agreement signed by the United States and Ukraine last year. The proposed arms sale comes as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to shift more of the cost of supporting Ukraine onto European countries. Earlier in September, Trump said he would ask European countries to reimburse the United States for military aid and ammunition it had previously delivered to Ukraine. It also follows Trump's signing of legislation on Friday aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Trump had pledged to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine after taking office early last year, but fighting continues even after the first 20 months of his presidency.
