briefs
Samsung gains in 'Best Brands' report
Samsung Electronics has risen to seventh position in Interbrand’s annual “Best Global Brands” report.
The report recognised the global growth of Samsung’s brand value through creative marketing initiatives and continued market leadership across many product categories, including smartphones, television sets, digital appliances and memory devices.
Up one spot this year – from eighth in 2013 – Samsung recorded a brand value of US$45.5 billion (Bt1.48 trillion), a 15-per-cent increase over last year’s $39.6 billion.
This is more than double the average growth rate of 7.4 per cent achieved by the world’s top 100 brands, according to the consultancy.
Samsung has maintained its No 1 position in the smartphone market for two years, which was boosted by the launch of flagship products including new devices in the Galaxy S and Note series, while wearable devices like Samsung Gear and Samsung Gear VR point to new engines of growth, Interbrand said.
Collaboration with world-renowned fashion brands and sponsorship of the 2014 Winter Olympics also increased Samsung’s brand value with consumers.
TUF euro bonds converted
Thai Union Frozen Products, a processor and exporter of canned and frozen seafood products, announced that Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) had exercised its right to convert all of TUF’s 60 million euro-denominated Euro Convertible Bonds worth about Bt2.4 billion into 45,360,045 common shares.
The number of fully paid-up TUF common shares after the exercise is 1,192,953,874.
At present, SCPE is the sole holder of the Euro Convertible Bonds. They were originally issued in late October 2010 as part of the financing scheme to help fund TUF acquisitions in Europe. The bonds carry a coupon rate of 5 per cent per annum with a maturity of four years. Without conversion, the bonds would otherwise have matured for redemption later this month.
AIA Thailand rating affirmed
Fitch Ratings has affirmed AIA Company’s Thailand Branch’s national insurer financial strength rating at “AAA(tha)”. The outlook is “stable”.
The rating reflects AIA Thailand’s legal status as a branch of AIA Company Ltd. The rating is based on AIACL’s solid market franchise, sustained sound financial performance and strong capitalisation.
AIACL is a leading life insurer in Asia, with more than 28 million in-force policies, a 250,000-strong agency force and an established presence in 17 markets in Asia.
AIACL’s profitability remained strong, with its pre-tax return on assets of 2.8 per cent for the first half of this year on an annualised basis (compared with 2.5 per cent for full-year 2013).
Its value of new business margin for the first half was 46.2 per cent (compared with 41.6 per cent a year earlier).
The company’s consolidated solvency ratio improved further to 448 per cent at the end of May, from 433 per cent at the end of November 2013, and was among the highest in the industry.
The “stable” outlook reflects Fitch’s expectation that AIACL will continue to maintain a strong credit profile in the medium to long term.
‘Add an egg’ at 7-Eleven
The convenience-store chain 7-Eleven is aiming to strengthen its market-leading position in the Thai ready-to-eat food segment with the launch of a new promotional campaign, “Add an egg to any meal at 7-Eleven ... So Delicious!”, encouraging customers to mix and match its already-prepared eggs with various recipes.
“Egg consumption in Thailand is steadily increasing,” said Yuthasak Poomsurakul, vice president of CP All, the operator of 7-Elevens in Thailand. “One of the main factors behind this trend is that the government is actively promoting egg consumption, saying it is a highly nutritious food ingredient that is rich in protein, easy to eat and impressively affordable.
“Moreover, egg recipes are generally suitable for consumers of all ages, from children to the elderly. Consumer lifestyles are changing and consumers with busy schedules are turning to convenient, easy and time-saving sources of nutrition.”
Regulator approves Channel 3 simulcast
Everyone can continue to enjoy their favourite Channel 3 programmes after the broadcasting regulator yesterday approved simulcast of its analog shows on a digital channel operated by its affiliate.
Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, said after an urgent meeting that its five-member broadcasting committee had voted 3-2 to give the green light for BEC-Multimedia to pass Channel 3 analog programmes through its high-definition digital terrestrial Channel 33 (3HD).
A representative from BEC-Multimedia had yesterday submitted its TV schedule, which is similar to Channel 3’s, to the committee for approval.
The move was necessary because under the NBTC’s policy to move Thailand into the digital era, Channel 3 analog is no longer classified as a free TV service. As such, it was to be removed from cable and satellite TV platforms tomorrow at 4.30pm.
Bangkok Entertainment Company (BEC), the operator of Channel 3, is a sister company of BEC-Multimedia, which operates three terrestrial-based digital channels: two for variety programming in high and standard definition, and one for children and families.
BEC executive vice president Surin Krittiyaphongphun said Channel 3 would become available on the digital platform some time between 11pm and midnight yesterday. Cable and satellite TV viewers can also enjoy this top TV station’s programmes on Channel 43, under the NBTC’s “must carry” rule.
Recovery signs for tourism
The Department of Tourism believes arrivals are picking up in time for the high season, judging by the influx from mainland China during its National Day holiday period.
According to Second Lieutenant Anuparb Gaysornsuwan, director-general of the Tourism Department under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, 490,267 foreign tourists visited Thailand between October 1 and 7, an increase of 10 per cent over the same period of last year, and up by 7 per cent over the first week of September.
There has been a significant increase in the number of Chinese tourists spending their extended National Day holidays in Thailand since October 1. The number of Chinese visitors via chartered flights to Don Mueang International Airport has risen by 42 per cent, 91 per cent at Chiang Mai Airport, 3 per cent at Suvarnabhumi Airport and 6 per cent at Phuket Airport.
These are the first increases this year after the lifting of visa requirements for tourists from mainland China and the Thai military government’s measures to boost foreign tourists’ confidence.
The department believes the improved arrival numbers so far this month are a positive sign. Last month, foreign arrivals were up by only 7 per cent and in August, they contracted by 11.85 per cent.
Meanwhile, hotels in Bangkok reported that 75 per cent of their rooms are filled on average.
