briefs
Comtec Solar to build wafer plant in Malaysia
China-based Comtec Solar will build a US$375-million (Bt11.7 billion) solar-wafer factory at Samajaya Free Industrial Zone in Kuching, in Malaysia’s Sarawak state, which will be one of the world’s largest such facilities.
The factory, to be built by SinoHydro and scheduled for completion by the end of this year, will create 1,300 new jobs.
The company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange said 80 per cent of its workforce here would be Malaysians, “with most holding diplomas as field engineers and technicians”, according to a press release yesterday. Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said at the formal launch that Comtec’s entry signified international confidence in his state’s economy and the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone.
The industrial park in 2009 welcomed its first manufacturer of solar ingots and wafers, MEMC Electronic Materials Inc, from the United States. – The Star/ANN
Gold award for Thai insurer
Allianz Ayudhya Assurance has won a Summit Creative Gold Award, the only insurer from Thailand to do so. The award honours business organisations that successfully implement innovative marketing-communications strategy through websites, online media and social networks.
Allianz Ayudha outperformed more than 5,000 leading companies from 25 countries including the United States, Canada, Singapore, and some European nations.
Patchara Taveechaiwattana, head of market management and corporate affairs, said that under its customer-centric strategy, Allianz Ayudhya was one of the market leaders in implementing outstanding policies on marketing communications.
“With a focus on product innovation and service, we consistently introduce new products and services to meet the diverse needs of our customers in every rhythm of their lives,” he said.
MAI begins 15th year of operation today
The Market for Alternative Investment has shown its success in 14 years of operation, with total market capitalisation of over Bt200 billion and average daily turnover of Bt3 billion.
The junior board, which commenced operation on June 21, 1999, turns 14 today. Its market capitalisation started at Bt427 million and had climbed to Bt100 billion by the middle of last year. Through its life, it has been a platform for companies to raise funds via financial instruments to grow their business, president Chanitr Charnchainarong said yesterday.
During the period, 103 companies raised Bt48.28 billion in capital.
The market capitalisation of more than Bt200 billion does not include Bt70 billion from 13 companies that grew bigger and then moved to the main board.
This year, Bt13.719 billion is expected to be raised from this market, almost equal to all of last year. There are 37 financial tools to be used for fund raising. In the pipeline are 13 companies applying for listing.
Digital TV deal
MCOT has reached an agreement with CAT Telecom to use its telecom infrastructure across the country as gap fillers to support digital terrestrial TV broadcasting.
MCOT will be able to use 15,000 telecom sites owned by CAT Telecom to supplement its upcoming digital TV broadcasting services from its 140 existing broadcasting sites.
Thanachai Wongthongsri, executive vice president for administration at MCOT, said yesterday that this partnership would help the company to expand its digital terrestrial TV network in the country as planned.
This year, MCOT will conduct trial runs in six provinces – Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sukhothai and Phuket.
Output starts at PTT project
PTT Exploration and Production Plc said yesterday that its subsidiary PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) started to introduce hydrocarbon to the Montara Venture FPSO at the beginning of this month.
The facility achieved steady production on Monday, it said.
Montara Oil production is projected to ramp up to 21,000 barrels per day (bpd) initially. Then production will build to 30,000bpd, following completion of one additional development well scheduled for the second half of this year.
The first crude oil sales off take is expected in August, Tevin Vongvanich, president and CEO of PTTEP, said in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Montara field is located in Timor Sea off of Australia.
