briefs

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BGH) is in talks with global pharmaceutical companies to set up a joint-venture company in Thailand, and a deal is expected to be finalised this year, said group CEO and president Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth.

He said the joint venture would operate a pharmaceuticals factory, which would help reduce the import of such products by more than Bt200 billion annually. BGH aims to drive the contribution of non-core businesses such as pharmaceuticals to Bt45 billion this year, from Bt3 billion currently. Non-core businesses give margins of 18-20 per cent, higher than the 10-12 per cent from its hospital business.

  “We might invest no less than Bt3 billion to build a modern laboratory in the pharmaceutical plant,” he said.

 

Nissan gets help

Automobile producers will not be affected by the government’s uncertainty over extending the first-car scheme, said Prapat Choeycham, vice president of Nissan Motor (Thailand).

However, he said the first-car programme had helped bolster sales by Nissan because most of its cars meet the criteria. Sales from the scheme have accounted for 25 per cent of the total, and half of Nissan’s sales are for its March and Almera eco-cars. 

Prapat said the company targeted total sales of 100,000 units this year, with a market share of 10 per cent. Nissan expects its share will rise to 15 per cent by 2016.

 

Sriracha profit soars 

Sriracha Construction reported net profit in the first quarter of Bt352 million, an increase of 82 per cent year on year. 

The company, which plans to float an initial public offering soon, had revenue of Bt617 million in the quarter and a net profit margin of 57 per cent, said deputy managing director Gridsada Potisomporn.

Sriracha Construction has negotiated several projects domestically and overseas.