Sunday, February 7, 2010

Government to boost benefits for companies locating regional operating headquarters in Thailand

Dep Minister of Finance Pradit Phataraprasit to lead an Open Forum on Wed 10th Feb to solicit direct input from private sector on how government can help them operate more competitively in the region


Deputy Minister of Finance Pradit Phataraprasit, today, (Wednesday 3 February) announced that the government is formulating plans to boost tax and non-tax benefits to companies that locate their regional operating headquarters in Thailand.

“We aim to reinforce Thailand’s position in the region as an important manufacturing and services hub,” said Deputy Finance Minister Pradit who chairs a committee charged with developing a set of recommendations that can make Thailand a more attractive location for the regional operating headquarters of companies.

He said, “The establishment of a regional headquarters in Thailand by giant foreign companies can generate enormous benefits for our country and accelerate economic growth. It results in the location in Thailand of many high-salaried expatriate managers; it means more demand for housing, more shopping and other spending, and more business for hotels and restaurants with a greater number of international events being organized in Thailand. It also means that Thai staff have more opportunity to become regional managers with much higher salaries and responsibilities.”

Mr. Pradit said that he is organizing an Open Forum meeting on Wednesday 10th February at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center for the private sector to give direct input to him on how they believe Thailand could become more attractive as a regional operating headquarters for their companies.

“I want this to be a collaborative effort that gets the best ideas on the table, and to weed out what isn’t important to the private sector,” said Mr. Pradit.

He said that, “multiple government agencies are working together and all key people responsible for developing and submitting these recommendations for Cabinet approval will be present at the session to listen to the views of the private sector, including the Board of Investment, the Bank of Thailand, the Revenue Department, the Fiscal Policy Office, as well as the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, in addition to himself and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.”
HOW TO REGISTER TO ATTEND

Attendance is free. To book a place, please email or fax representatives’ Name, Title, and Company to ROHforum@gmail.com , or fax: 02-664 9515, Attention: Khun Pairoj. Reservations should be made no later than Monday 8th February. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Presentations will be in English and Thai.

Friday, February 5, 2010

BEA Completes Sale and Purchase of BEA Canada and ICEA with ICBC

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (“BEA”) today announces that the agreements, which it reached with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (“ICBC”) on 4th June, 2009 regarding the sale and purchase of The Bank of East Asia (Canada) (“BEA Canada”) and ICEA Finance Holdings Limited (“ICEA”) have been completed, following satisfaction of all pre-agreed conditions. BEA has completed the disposal of its 70% interest in BEA Canada to ICBC for a total consideration of CAD80,249,120 (equivalent to approximately HK$589.2 million). Meanwhile, BEA has also concluded its acquisition of ICBC’s remaining 75% shareholding in ICEA, for a total consideration of HK$372,154,045. The two transactions are inter-conditional, and with their completion today, ICEA immediately becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of BEA, and BEA Canada ceases to be a subsidiary of the BEA Group. BEA and ICBC will continue to co-operate in the management and operation of BEA Canada and a shareholders agreement has been entered into between the three parties governing their respective rights and obligations. Commenting on the acquisition of ICEA, Dr. David K.P. Li, Chairman & Chief Executive of BEA, says: “We are pleased to welcome the customers, business partners, and staff of ICEA to the BEA Group. We look upon this acquisition as a prime opportunity to enlarge our customer base and to extend our market reach in the securities business. We are confident that with BEA’s expertise and resources to provide its customers with a broad range of financial services to cater for their diverse needs, ICEA will go from strength to strength.” ICEA was established in 1998 through the joint partnership between ICBC and BEA. The company principally engages in the provision of securities broking, underwriting, margin financing, and futures and options contracts dealing services.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

PTT Chemical and GE sign gas turbine service agreement

PTT Chemical Public Company Limited, Thailand’s largest chemical producer and a regional leader in the petrochemical industry, has signed a service agreement with GE (NYSE: GE) in Singapore to ensure the long-term reliability of nine GE gas turbines at PTT Chemical’s site in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand.


The 13-year Contractual Service Agreement (CSA) worth US$46.1 million or approximately Baht 1,521 million covers the supply of parts, repairs and field services for planned and unplanned outages for gas turbine-generators and accessory equipment, along with performance guarantees.

Veerasak Kositpaisal, President and CEO of PTT Chemical said, “Through this agreement, GE guarantees the continuing reliability and efficiency of the gas turbines, which improves our efficiency and security as well as enables us to maintain our petrochemical production schedule. The CSA also helps us to effectively manage our maintenance budget over the life of the agreement.”

“While we have received equipment orders from PTT Chemical in the past, this marks our first CSA with the company,” said Kovit Kantapasara., GE Energy Country Executive for Thailand and Indochina. “We hope to build on this agreement to provide similar services to other companies in the PTT Group.” Overall, GE has supplied more than 20 gas turbines to the petrochemical business of the PTT Group.

PTT Chemical is a diversified and integrated chemical producer offering a wide variety of petrochemical and chemical products. Its product portfolio includes ethylene and propylene, collectively called olefins, downstream derivatives such as Polymers and Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Glycol, and oleochemicals. The company’s gas-based plants have a total annual capacity of 2,888,000 tons of olefins, making it Thailand’s largest olefins producer and the second largest in all of Asia.

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that's built to meet essential world needs. GE Energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies providing integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Stimulus for Thailand’s hospitality industry

The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), Impact Exhibition Management and Thailand Restaurant News magazine are inviting local and international players in the hospitality business, and entrepreneurs interested in this sector, to Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2010 at Impact Muang Thong Thani in June 2010.


This international expo is designed to raise the standard of Thailand’s hospitality industry and giving encouragement and support to new entrepreneurs now that the economy is recovering.

Yuthasak Supasorn, OSMEP’s Director-General pointed out that the restaurant and service industry was one of Thailand’s vital sectors, with a value of two hundred thousand million baht each year, and that new business ventures were continually opening.

“As the economy continues to improve, everyone involved in this sector needs to be ready to take advantage of emerging opportunities,” he said.

“However, sustainable success in this business depends on many factors, such as location, financial support, market insight, product and service quality, customer base and network of business alliances. The Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2010 has been organised to give players in this sector, whether they’re actual or potential, the support they need to go for that success.”

Pornphan Bulner, Assistant Director Exhibition Project of Impact Exhibition Management, explained that the expo would integrate products, services and technologies relating to restaurants, hotels, bars, coffee shops and catering to meet the needs of entrepreneurs.

“It will showcase raw materials, equipment and machinery, as well as new techniques and skill trainings for all roles in the hospitality industry. At the same time it will provide a platform for negotiation, networking and exchanging information,” she said.

“At least 150 local and international companies will exhibit their products and services on a combined space of 10,000 square meters. We’re expecting to receive more than 10,000 Thai and foreign visitors -- owners, managers, suppliers and business consultants, as well as people who are interested in running their own business.”

Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2010 will be arranged in three zones: Cuisine for Change, World of Wine & Spirits, and Coffee (Tea & Bakery) Culture. It will also include seminars, demonstrations of recipes and cooking techniques, competitions for chefs, sommeliers and bartenders and an Asian barista championship.

Chatthaporn Yolao, Managing Director of Thailand Restaurant News magazine, said that the event would present new food trends and the latest technologies as business opportunities, and marketing information from experts. Thai SME’s would also benefit from the new relationships they make with other entrepreneurs and service providers.

“We are hoping that Thailand International Restaurant and Bar 2010 will be instrumental in raising the standard of the food and beverage and hospitality industries in Thailand, and in doing so benefit the Thai economy,” she said.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Investment-Grade Composite Spread Tightens To 209 Basis Points

Standard & Poor's investment-grade composite spread tightened yesterday to 209 basis points (bps), while its speculative-grade counterpart compressed to 653 bps. By rating, the 'AA' and 'A' spreads tightened one basis point each to 144 bps and 180 bps, respectively, and 'BBB' tightened 3 bps to 264 bps. The 'BB' spread tightened 5 bps to 484 bps, 'B' compressed 6 bps to 654 bps, and 'CCC' tightened 15 bps to 1,040 bps.

By industry, financial institutions, banks, and industrials tightened 4 bps each to 366 bps, 288 bps, and 336 bps, respectively. Utilities and telecommunications followed, tightening 2 bps each to 212 and 318 bps, respectively.

Despite material tightening since their record highs in December 2008, the speculative-grade spread remains range-bound within a default cycle, and the investment-grade spread continues to face pressure from financial institutions and banks. In addition, speculative-grade defaults continue to accelerate, as does the preponderance of credit downgrades. Because of these factors, we expect spreads to remain at their elevated levels for some time as investors, the credit markets, and the economy cautiously tread through the current recessionary period.

ROLLS-ROYCE INCREASES SINGAPORE INVESTMENT TO SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, announced plans to build a new wide chord fan blade (WCFB) factory in Singapore. The factory will be located at the Group’s Seletar Campus alongside the previously announced ‘Facility of the Future’, which will test and assemble Trent aero engines.


Total investment in the Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus, including investment in the WCFB factory, will exceed S$700million (around £300 million). It will create approximately 500 new jobs when fully operational, bringing the number of people employed by the Group in Singapore to around 2,000. Construction of the Facility of the Future and all other elements of the campus, including a regional training centre, will begin in the first quarter of 2010.

The new factory will be the first outside the UK to manufacture Rolls-Royce hollow titanium WCFBs, a technology which has played a key role in the success of the Trent engine family. It will provide additional capacity to the Group’s Barnoldswick factory in the UK, which Rolls-Royce separately announced will be receiving further investment.

The Group’s growing global order book totalled £55.5 billion at the end of 2008, of which 44 per cent was generated by customers in the Asia Pacific region. The Group’s success in global markets generates the need for additional capacity to support long-term growth and an expanding customer base.

The decision to locate the new facility in Singapore has been determined by four strategic considerations: the benefits of locating major facilities close to key customers; the business continuity benefits that will arise from locating critical component manufacturing in two locations; the highly competitive skills and productivity levels in Singapore, exemplified by the Group’s joint venture partnerships with Singapore Airlines Engineering Company; and the support provided by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Jurong Town Corporation (JTC).

Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, commented: “Singapore has become a vitally important centre for the Group’s operations and this latest investment in wide chord fan blade capability reflects our continuing confidence in Singapore as a place to locate high value-added manufacturing. I am particularly pleased that we are receiving the support of the Singapore EDB with whom we already have a very strong relationship.”

Mr Leo Yip, Chairman EDB, commented: "We are delighted that Rolls-Royce has chosen Singapore for the manufacture of Wide Chord Fan Blades. This, together with Rolls-Royce's Trent aero engine assembly and test facility at Seletar Aerospace Park, is a strong vote of confidence in Singapore's capabilities to be a home for high-value manufacturing and development activities. The Rolls-Royce campus taking shape at Seletar reinforces our position as a leading global aerospace hub, and reflects the very strong partnership between Rolls-Royce and Singapore.”
NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Rolls-Royce is a global business, providing and supplying integrated power systems for use on land, at sea and in the air. The Group has established a strong position in civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy markets.

2. Rolls-Royce employs around 38,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills.

3. Businesses are headquartered in the UK, US and Singapore. This global presence allows the Group to deliver benefits to its partners, in addition to being able to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.

4. Singapore is a key business hub for the Group. It is home to the global headquarters of the Group’s Marine business and the regional headquarters of its Asian Energy business. The Group’s Advanced Technology Centre and Procurement office is also located in Singapore and handles the management of suppliers in South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, India and South East Asia.

5. Rolls-Royce is developing its Facility of the Future, a Trent aero engine testing and assembly facility, at its new Seletar Campus in the Seletar Aerospace Park. It will be the most modern Rolls-Royce production engine assembly and test facility for large commercial aero engines, and the Group’s first in Asia.

6. Rolls-Royce has established a number of highly successful joint venture partnerships in Singapore, primarily with Singapore Airlines Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC). These include Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) and International Engine Components Overhaul (IECO), both of which provide services to major regional and global carriers.

7. The Singapore Economic Development Board is the lead government agency responsible for planning and executing strategies to enhance Singapore’s position as a global business centre and grow the Singapore economy. The EDB’s support for the Rolls-Royce Seletar Campus includes development grants, training support and the coordination of Singapore government agencies that enabled efficient and focussed discussions through the decision process.

8. Rolls-Royce has unique capability in the production of hollow WCFBs, which are critical components used in fans for civil and military engines and central to the performance of the engine.

9. The Group’s annual underlying revenues were £9.1 billion in 2008, 52 per cent of which came from services revenues. The firm and announced order book at the end of 2008 stood at £55.5 billion, providing visibility of future levels of activity.

10. The Group has invested £1.4 billion in capital projects over the last five years and £3.7 billion in research and development (R&D). In 2008, Rolls-Royce and its partners invested £885 million in R&D, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of emissions.

11. Research and development is carried out in facilities in the UK, Canada, Germany, Singapore, the US and Scandinavia and the Group has particularly strong relationships with the 27 Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres worldwide.
Rolls-Royce celebrates 20 years in Thailand

In 2009, Rolls-Royce celebrates its 20th anniversary of business achievement in Thailand. Rolls-Royce is a global business, providing integrated power systems for use on land, at sea and in the air in Thailand for over forty years and has been based in Thailand since 1989. Rolls-Royce has established a strong position in Thailand in the areas of civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising government agencies, commercial airlines, public utilities, pipeline operators and energy customers. Today there are over 300 Rolls-Royce engines in service in Thailand. Rolls-Royce is committed to working in Thailand and supporting the country through investment, innovation and education. In 1996 Rolls-Royce funded an engine test cell for Thai Airways International at Don Muang airport, and continues to support the development of Thai society through on-going corporate social responsibilities programmes. Rolls-Royce is extremely proud of its long association with the Kingdom of Thailand and wishes to continue this partnership for many years.
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

HEMARAJ - 9 MONTHS 2009 NET PROFIT OF BAHT 423 MILLION

Hemaraj Land And Development Public Company Limited announced its operating and financial results for Quarter 3, 2009 and year to date as summarized below.

Quarter 3’2009 and 9 months of 2009 Net Income

For Quarter 3’2009, Hemaraj reported Total Net Income of Baht 75.6 million, or a decrease of 81% compared with the same period last year. Earnings per-share was 0.008 Baht per share, representing a decrease of 81% from the same period of last year.

For the first 9 months of 2009, Hemaraj reported Total Net Income of Baht 422.9 million, or a decrease of Baht 842.7 million or 67% compared with the same period of 2008. The decrease of Net Income from Operating Business for Quarter 3’2009 and the first 9 months of 2009 was mainly due to lower industrial land sales and no property sales compared to the same period of the prior year. Earnings per-share was 0.045 Baht per share, representing a decrease of 67% from the same period of last year.

David Nardone, President and CEO of Hemaraj Land And Development Public Company Limited had the following comments on the company’s performance.

“Total Revenue of Baht 1,723 million for the first 9 months of 2009 represents a decrease of 59% from last year. Hemaraj Total Net Income was Baht 423 million for the same period.

All things considered, the first nine months of 2009 has shown reasonable performance in coping with the severe international and local conditions while benefiting from increasing broad recurring revenue. We continued to be profitable with a strong balance sheet for future positioning.

As noted at year-end 2008 and the first half of 2009, global economic conditions led to a dramatic collapse in durable goods consumption. Subsequent reductions in production levels to reduce inventory reflecting lower demand have now stabilized. Thailand is starting to return to more normal run rate levels of production particularly for petrochemicals with increases in purchasing and other durable goods leading indicators.

The investment in Hemaraj’s business model will remain attractive. Thailand has in the past provided an improving investment climate and predictable rules of law enforcement. However, there are current environmental concerns where investors have complied with the rules and laws in place and are seeking the government resolve for the protection of their rights and investment.

The opportunity remains for Thailand to benefit from the investment relocation and expansion of production to strategic locations based on cost currency and market access. Industrial cluster opportunities will continue for automotive, petrochemical, and other industrial sectors long term, particularly at Hemaraj’s “Detroit of the East” automotive cluster in the Eastern Seaboard and Hemaraj’s petrochemical cluster in MapTaPhut, Rayong.

Hemaraj has 77% lower revenue from industrial estate sales for the first nine months of 2009. Encouragingly we have seen a 26% growth in Utilities revenue and an 11% growth in Rental

Property revenue year to date. Our broadened recurring revenue strategy and a strong balance sheet shielded market disruption while recovering to a normal level continues.

We further continued our investment in the Gheco-One IPP power project, being on schedule.

The Hemaraj business and financial plans reflect current conditions as well as opportunities in order to optimize predictable returns to shareholders. We are cautious of economic political and market risks and appreciate the appropriate responsibility entrusted to us.”
Revenue and Results of Operations for 9 Months of 2009

For the first 9 months of 2009, Hemaraj’s Total Revenue was Baht 1,723.0 million compared with Baht 4,181.9 million for the same period of 2008, representing a 59% decrease. Total Operating Revenue from core businesses was Baht 1,738.0 million, a 56% decrease from the same period of 2008. Industrial Estate Land Sales for the first 9 months of 2009 including Profit from Associated Industrial Estate were Baht 563.6 million, or a 77% decrease. There is an additional Baht 762 million in deferred revenue from Industrial Estate Land Sales not recognized to date, based on the percent completion method from 3 industrial estate new phase developments and representing sales that will be recognized primarily over the next 3 to 18 months.

Total Utilities Revenue including industrial estate utilities, profit dividend from power utilities associates, and other utilities and services fees increased to Baht 809.4 million, an increase of 26%. Total Rental Revenue including SME factory rental, pipe-rack rental, and commercial office rental increased to Baht 391.2 million, an increase of 11%. There was no Sale of Property including SME factory sales, residential sales and other land/property for 2009 to date.

The Gross Profit was Baht 755.5 million, a 54% decrease from the same period of last year. Earning Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) were Baht 446.0 million, a decrease of 66%. The Gross Profit Margin and EBITDA Margin were 46% and 26%, respectively, the latter reflecting lower operating leverage.
Significant Activities for the first 9 months of 2009

- Industrial Estate Sales were net 74 rai with 13 contracts, 10 new customers and 3 project expansions from existing customers. Total industrial customers are now 404 distinct new customers with 597 contracts and 135 automotive customers.

- Hemaraj jointly invested with Glow in Houay Ho Power, (Hemaraj’s effective shareholding 12.75%, USD 7.74 million) a company operating a 152 Megawatt Hydro Power Plant in Laos selling electricity to EGAT.
Balance Sheet Highlights at 30th September 2009

At 30th September 2009 Hemaraj reported Total Assets of Baht 13,445 million, Total Liabilities of Baht 5,144 million and Total Shareholders Equity of Baht 8,301 million. The Net Debt to Equity ratio remained low at 0.54 to 1. Cash on Hand was Baht 667 million and Cash Deposit for Power Project was Baht 2,060 million.