In the News

IRPC has budgeted Bt1.2 billion to construct infrastructure at Ban Kai Industrial Estate in Rayong province next year, CEO Atikom Tepsiri said.
Ban Kai will be a non-toxic industrial estate focusing on auto assembly.
Meanwhile, the company is studying expansion into Asean countries including Indonesia and the Philippines jointly with PTT in preparation for the Asean Economy Community that becomes effective in 2015, he said.

PTT inks 3-bank loan deal
PTT has signed a loan agreement with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Corporate Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation worth a total of US$310 million (Bt9.5 billion) with tenor of five years at a floating interest rate based on Libor plus spread.
PTT’s board of directors approved external fund-raising totalling $310 million for financing of investment plans, working capital and/or refinancing outstanding debts, president and CEO Pailin Chuchottaworn advised the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday.

Transport plan promoted
The Transport Ministry is promoting its investment plan to improve basic infrastructure and facilitate the economic growth of the northeastern gateway.
A new Ban Pai-Maha Sarakham-Mukdahan railway project, high-speed rail from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, a special highway project for Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima, and the new Logistics Station (Northeastern Region) to enhance truck transport for Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai and Mukdahan provinces will be constructed.
This construction will come under the ministry’s seven-year development plan with total expenditure of Bt2 trillion, covering land, rail, marine and air transport over the next 10-15 years, said permanent secretary Wichian Phojposri.

Thai-India JV for PR
Public relations firm Chuo Senko (Thailand) is joining with DDB Mudra and Ad India to set up Chuo Senko India Co with capital of 5 million Indian rupees (Bt2.85 million).
The company’s investment budget came from its working capital, chief financial officer Kiichi Okuyama reported to the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday.

Allianz brand ranked higher
Allianz Group Germany, one of the major shareholders of Allianz Ayudhya Assurance, was ranked 62nd in the Interbrand Best Global Brands (Top 100 Global Brands 2012), a five-step jump from 67th last year.
The brand has reported value of US$6.2 billion (Bt190 billion), up 16 per cent from last year, the highest growth in the insurance industry.
The impact of the economic slowdown since 2008 has affected many brands, especially those in financial services, as most of them have to work hard to regain the confidence of their customers. However, Allianz has been operating based on its “customer-centric strategy” and succeeded in putting a human face on its brand, most notably through the global “One Advice” campaign, which is a unified platform to communicate both internally and externally and learn what customers need. – The Nation