Briefs

Gulf Energy Development, a unit of Gulf JP, is the sole company to win a 5,000-megawatt power-generating contract worth about Bt21.5 billion, a source at the Energy Regulatory Commission said.
This is the third round of |bidding under the indepen-|dent power producer (IPP) scheme.
The ERC announced on Friday that Gulf submitted two bids, each for the generation of 5,000MW. The commission was looking for producers of natural gas-fired power of up to 5,400MW. Three companies won the highest scores in technical bids. Aside from Gulf, there were Glow Energy and Electricity Generating (Egco). Amata B Grimm Power and National Power Supply are now appealing against the ERC’s decision that they were not qualified for the bidding. Should they win the appeal, their price offers would then be considered.
According to the source, Gulf quoted the lowest price, at Bt4.23 per unit.
“We’re uncomfortable with awarding the contract to a single company, but after two reviews, Gulf remained the sole winner. Plus, under the terms of reference, there is no regulation that bars us from awarding the contract to one company,” the source said.

Bartercard |in Pattaya
Bartercard (Thailand) is venturing into Pattaya, aiming to lure new members in the tourism industry.
Raevadee Wattanurak, managing director of the company, said Pattaya had been a major tourist destination in Thailand. Through its worldwide clientele, many are visiting Pattaya, particularly from Australia, New Zealand and Britain. The card offers a new business-exchange option for clients of hotels, restaurants, car-rental companies, and other service sectors.
“Through the use of the cards, they can pay for accommodation, souvenirs and food. This will reduce the need for cash and offer a discount,” she said.
Pattaya figures in the firm’s plan to expand its network to cover Asean.
Founded in Australia in 1991, Bartercard operates six branches in Thailand, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Outside Thailand, it operates in six more countries. – Australia, Cyprus, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. More than 35,000 business ventures are now its clients.

Myanmar telecom firms start recruiting
Competition among foreign telecommunication companies is intensifying as many begin recruiting local employees less than a week before Myanmar’s government is due to announce the winners of two lucrative operating licences.
Experts say this is one of the most competitive international bids in what is regarded as one of the world’s last untapped mobile markets. The government is expected to announce the two winners on Thursday.
“We will employ local and foreign workers 50:50 at the beginning. Later there will be more local employees at our company but monthly salaries for them will be according to the national rules,” said Andy Chong of Malaysia-based Axiata Group, one Asia’s biggest telecom companies.
Although many foreign companies in the bidding for the two mobile licences have started recruiting, qualified professionals in Myanmar are scarce. Digicel, which is also in the running, is already accepting applicants.
“We [have] now started accepting job applications for our company. We will choose those who meet our required qualifications,” said a Digicel official.
Singapore’s Singtel, which has teamed up with Myanmar partners KBZ and M-Tel, is also seeking employees. Though other bidders have yet to start recruiting, many companies have been promising jobs for Myanmar workers.