The rating reflects DTAC’s market position as a major mobile phone service provider in Thailand, easing concerns over spectrum constraint after DTAC signed an agreement with TOT PLC on the 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum.

It also reflects DTAC’s financial strength, backed by strong cash flow generation and sufficient liquidity. The rating is partly enhanced by the support DTAC receives from Telenor ASA.

The rating also takes into consideration DTAC’s challenging business position from intense competition in the industry and the potential deterioration of its financial profile due to the hefty capital expenditure required to ensure bandwidth capacity and network quality.

Meanwhile, TRIS Rating affirms the company rating of DTACTriNet Co Ltd (DTN) and the ratings of DTN’s senior unsecured debentures at “AA+” with a “negative” outlook.

The ratings reflect DTN’s strategic importance as a core subsidiary of Total, a leading mobile phone service provider in Thailand. They are partly enhanced by the support from Telenor ASA, DTAC’s major shareholder.

The ratings take into consideration DTN’s market position as a leading mobile phone service provider and the growth prospects for data services.

Organisers said the seminar aimed to furnish Thai SME exporters with knowledge of FX-risk-hedging tools for international trade.

Participants were granted Bt30,000 per business for use to buy FX option contracts on a trial basis from the eight commercial banks so that they may be better able to mitigate FX risks associated with international trade.

At the seminar, Pisit Serewiwattana, president of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim), welcomed guest speakers from the Ministry of Industry, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (OSMEP), BOT and the Thai Bankers’ Association.

The increase was credited to high growth in the corporate customer segment in line with economic improvements and outstanding export performance.

The main drivers were borrowing requirements in the export-oriented industry, agriculture and construction.

Payments via EDC also rose 20 per cent, due mainly to Chinese tourists’ spending and expansion of Thailand’s cashless society.

KBank president Patchara Samalapa said the operations of the bank’s Corporate Business Division expanded in 1Q18 at a higher rate than expected, given the increase in large corporate customers’ requirements for loans and capital funds to finance their activities.

The division’s income totalled Bt6.371 billion, rising 5 percent over-year, and fee income stood at Bt3.117 billion, up 3 per cent YoY.

Meanwhile, total loans surged 12 per cent YoY to Bt581.58 billion, mostly driven by farm and agricultural processing industries that benefited from the healthier global economy.

Consequently, KBank’s global trade transactions also registered outstanding performance.

Other industries that exhibited outstanding growth in 1Q18 included construction and construction materials, following many government projects that are progressing.

KBank has been able to control non-performing loans in the large corporate segment within its targeted range.

KBank’s large corporate customers have also raised funds in the form of private bond issuance. In 1Q18, KBank was top of the market with the total value of issued private bond at Bt45.662 billion, equivalent to a 24 per cent of market share.

Patchara said large corporations have the same cash management costs as banks, and if such costs are reduced, their business efficiency can be enhanced substantially.

As a result, KBank has decided to develop solutions related to the cashless society to meet the needs of this customer segment. Over the years, KBank has steadily introduced new features to its EDC devices via QR codes that are capable of accommodating the Alipay and WeChat Pay apps used by Chinese tourists.

“Thanks to the satisfactory growth of business in 1Q18 and steady expansion of the cashless society in Thailand, KBank is confident of continued support for our customers according to our targets, with an overall loan growth of 6-8 per cent and a rise of fee income by 2-5 per cent,” he said.

Managing director Barom Bhicharnchitr said the Bangkok shopping complex’s customers were a diverse group.

“We want to emphasize that, at Central Embassy, we are ready to give you infinite ways of lifestyle and shopping experiences to enjoy, whether you’re a shopper, foodie, art lover, creative type, lifestyle enthusiast, family or tourist. The experiences at Central Embassy are simply designed to be infinite.”

Shoppers have a chance to win two state cabin seats on the Eastern & Oriental Express for a four-day, three-night trips to Singapore worth Bt300,000 and Hydro Pool Pavilion breaks at Rayavadee Krab for two nights (two prizes each worth Bt160,000), plus gift vouchers and credit card privileges.

“We plan to actively reach out with digital marketing that places a stronger emphasis on social networks,” Barom said. “We believe these channels will bring us closer to the new generation on a fast and continued basis. The next generation is one of our most important target groups.

“At present, Central Embassy has 190,000 followers on Facebook and more than 27,000 on Instagram, and after the launch of #INFINITEYOU, we will communicate with our target groups via online media.”

L’Oreal has acquired a 100 per cent stake in Style Nanda, marking its first acquisition of a Korean company.

The exact transaction price for the deal was not disclosed. Last month, Style Nanda’s CEO and founder Kim So-hee initially planned to sell off 70 per cent of the company’s shares for $37 billion and keep a 30 per cent stake, but later changed her mind.

Kim started Style Nanda as an online fashion mall business in 2005, when she was 22. She sold clothes bought from the Dongdaemun fashion wholesale market. The company’s unique style and quirky marketing quickly boosted its business.

In 2009, the company launched its own cosmetics brand 3CE, which now accounts for most of its revenue with over 500 products which are popular in China.

Style Nanda raked in $152 million in sales last year, with 70 per cent coming from 3CE.

L’Oreal said it aims to expand sales of 3CE globally through the acquisition.

“Style Nanda encapsulates Korean style’s ambience, edge and creativity, which can appeal to Millennials not only in Asia but globally,” said Alexis Perakis-Valat, president of L’Oreal’s consumer production division.

“L’Oreal is proud to have the group’s first Korean beauty brand and be able to bring Korean beauty and style to the rest of the world,” said Yann Le Bourdon, president of L’Oreal Korea.

WIT will use the entire Thaicom’s IPSTAR satellite capacity of both spot and broadcast beams for the Philippines.

The agreement will also see WIT provide broadband connectivity through the IPSTAR high-throughput satellite to serve market verticals in the Philippines, including broadcasting, telecoms, mobile network operators and maritime users.

Located in southern Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is a fast-growing tourist destination known for its long, sweeping beaches, rich coral reefs, seafood, pearl farms and dense, tropical rainforest.

Operating under Dusit’s upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand, the new four-star resort is centrally located on the island’s west coast, overlooking stunning Bai Truong Beach, a 20-kilometre stretch of sand also known as Long Beach.

Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC) and the town of Duong To are a short drive away.

Designed to blend Dusit’s Thai heritage with Vietnamese culture and local traditions, the family-friendly resort comprises 108 well-appointed guestrooms ranging from 32-square-metre Deluxe Rooms to 90sqm Suites, most with lovely ocean views.

Dining options include an all-day-dining restaurant, a lobby lounge, a swim-up pool bar serving Thai, Vietnamese and Western cuisine, and Soi 14, a stylish beachfront bar and lounge where Thai chef Somnuck Attaworn puts a contemporary spin on Thai street-food favourites.

The centrepiece of the resort is a large infinity pool with an ocean view, set within a lush tropical garden.

Other facilities include a fully equipped gym, a kids’ club, a large ballroom accommodating up to 190 people, and the Luna Thai Spa, which offers a range of holistic treatments conducted by fully qualified and highly trained therapists.

During their stay, guests can easily arrange to visit popular local attractions such as Phu Quoc National Park, part of the Unesco-designated Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, the sweeping and secluded Bai Sao Beach, the quirky Dinh Cau night market, and various temples.

“Perfectly equipped to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike, this is a stunning property in a beautiful location with gorgeous sunsets almost every day,” said general manager Markus Lohenstein.

“It’s a real honour to be tasked with debuting Dusit’s unique brand of gracious hospitality in Vietnam. I look forward to working with my team to make this resort a huge success, as we delight our guests with our distinctive service, and showcase the best the island has to offer.”

Vietnam’s Tourism Ministry aims to attract at least 500,000 foreign visitors to Phu Quoc this year.

To meet that demand, the island’s airport has opened new direct routes to Thailand, China, South Korea, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Britain.

Regular domestic flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are also available.

A visa-exempt rule grants international visitors 30 days’ access to the island upon arrival.

With 27 properties currently in operation across four brands in eight countries, Dusit International is in a significant growth phase which will see the number of Dusit properties top 70 within the next three years.

The bank will soon be offering new funds covering high-potential markets while raising the quality of Family Wealth Planning Services for more than 30,800 High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Thailand.

Jirawat Supornpaibul, Head of KBank Private Banking Business Group, reiterated the bank’s commitment to delivering excellent and comprehensive private banking services in Thailand. In 2015, KBank partnered with the Singapore unit of Lombard Odier, a Swiss private bank with 222 years experience in wealth management for global HNWI clients, to upscale its private banking services and deliver personal financial solutions tailored to the need of HNWIs in the kingdom.

Kbank’s portfolio management service follows the risk-based approach, focusing on investment risk management while offering returns that meet customers’ goals throughout their investment terms. The success of the service is reflected in the strong sales of three funds that KBank jointly developed with Lombard Odier, namely K-SGM, K-GREAT and K-APB, reaching US$1 billion or more than Bt30 bil0lion in just three years.

“The positive feedback shows that our products have met our clients’ needs,” Jirawat told reporters.

He added that KBank and Lombard Odier were now gearing up to develop more services including products to invest in potential markets, equipped with smart investment mechanisms to cater to specific client needs.

KBank Private Banking Business Group, a pioneer in Family Wealth Planning Services in Thailand, has offered the most comprehensive wealth management services over the past three years by applying Lombard Odier’s experience and valuable knowledge to local needs. The bank’s efforts resulted in recognition from the Euromoney Private Banking Survey 2018 in the category of Best Bank for Succession Planning Advice and Trusts, Thailand.

To ensure Kbank continues on its successful path, Lombard Odier has developed a training course specifically for KBank private bankers and support teams covering investment management and guidelines.

It is expected that in 2018, the number of HNWIs or clients with asset under management (AUM) of more Bt50 million in Thailand will reach 30,800. KBank is now serving 10,500 HNWI customers with total AUM of around Bt750 billion, equal to a 34-per-cent market share. KBank expects its investment products to expand by Bt20 billion