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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011921

CP Group is the only Thai company that has been assessed out of 66 companies that have received Bronze Class distinction in the Industrial Conglomerates sector.

Charoen Pokphand Group Co Ltd (CP Group) has been included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022 compiled by S&P Global.

The yearbook has announced a list of companies, ranking them for sustainability efforts. 
S&P Global is the world-leading and trusted reference on sustainability. They are widely accepted among investors and economic communities worldwide.

CP Group is the only Thai company that has been assessed out of 66 companies that have received Bronze Class distinction in the Industrial Conglomerates sector.

CP Group’s CEO, Suphachai Chearavanont, said it was a delight to be the only Thai organisation ranked. Its score has to be in the top 5-10 per cent of the industry.

This year, German energy conglomerate Siemens AG ranked first, followed by South Korea’s IT business group SK Business Group (SK Inc).

To be eligible for inclusion in the yearbook, organisations must pass a corporate sustainability assessment rating, which is used to rank the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). The assessment focuses on business performance, governance and economics, as well as social and environmental dimensions.

“CP Group has a moral compass, to do business with the nation’s best well-being at the forefront of our minds. We create this vision through our 3Hs sustainability strategy: heart – living right; health – living well, and home – living together. The strategy is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and also emphasises on operating in accordance with ESG [Environment, Social, Governance]’s guidelines, which is to conduct business that takes into account the environment, society and corporate governance., This includes working proactively to push the world agenda on many issues,” he said.

“We consider this to be both an opportunity and a challenge for every business unit under CP Group. This allows us to increase business capabilities along with creating value for all stakeholders to achieve the CP Group’s Sustainability Goals for 2030, while still remaining a leading global company in sustainability. Through this strategy we are creating a balance for both business and society,” Suphachai said.

The Sustainability Yearbook 2022 included 7,554 companies in the global assessment, and only 716 companies from 61 industries were selected to be ranked in the report. This year, only 41 Thai companies were included.

Aside from the CP Group, its subsidiaries Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, CP All Plc, and True Corporation Plc are included in the yearbook.

Several other Thai companies were included in this report, such as Thai Beverage Plc, PTT Global Chemical Plc, Banpu Plc, and Mitr Phol Sugar Co Ltd.

Published : February 04, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011918

Huawei launched the “Seeds for the Future” programme in Thailand for the first time in 2008. More than 215 universities students have participated in this programme after over 13 years.

Education has become more personalised and hybrid in the past decade. With new digital models emerging, intelligence and the cloud are increasingly critical, supported by fresh innovations in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) that are transforming the education industry.

According to a survey on Thailand’s digital life in 2020 and 2021, Thai people’s use of e-commerce has increased from 37 per cent to 76 per cent, and the ratio of people who work remotely has risen from 17 per cent to 30 per cent.

At the same time, the cloud adoption rate by corporates has rapidly increased from 26 per cent to 70 per cent. By 2030, digital economy is estimated to account for 30 per cent of overall GDP.

The fundamental role of digital education has been highlighted during the pandemic. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has impacted every field and the effects are certainly being felt in education.

In fact, over the last year or so, about 1.5 billion students — 90 per cent of all primary, secondary, and university level students worldwide — have been unable to attend their schools or campuses for at least some period. The urgent need for more equal, accessible, and advanced education resources has now become a global concern.

As Thailand is making strides to become the Asean digital hub, this period of disruption has been transformative as education providers have hurried to adopt smart technologies to ensure education continuity for all.

Supot Teachavorasinskun, dean of Engineering Faculty at Chulalongkorn University, emphasised at “Huawei Cloud and Connect 2022” (HCC), “Nowadays, the physical and the cyber world are integrated. We have to work with Huawei and other partners to integrate the digital world into every knowledge aspect for the lecturers and students. This is unavoidable.”

This trend was echoed by Kamol Keatruangkamala, executive vice president for information technology at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. During the HCC event, he stressed that “Covid has accelerated the transformation. If we still think in the same way, in 10 years we won’t be able to maintain the university. So we have to disrupt ourselves with innovative technologies from leading companies like Huawei.”

Higher education in Thailand has become more popular while ICT investment has also increased significantly.

Huawei launched the “Seeds for the Future” programme in Thailand for the first time in 2008. More than 215 universities students have participated in this programme after over 13 years.
In 2019, Huawei Asean Academy (Thailand) was established to further support the visionary Thailand 4.0 strategy which so far has provided upskilling and reskilling training to over 41,000 local ICT professionals and over 1,300 SMEs.

Huawei has also provided a number of joint solutions, such as smart campus, smart classroom, and online education solutions for more than 10 educational institutions and universities including top ranking universities in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) and Srinakharinwirot University (SWU). These solutions have ensured that learning never ceases even during the pandemic.

In February 2019, the SWU campus network upgrade was completed. Huawei provided high-bandwidth and low-latency campus networks to improve the wireless network coverage and security, promoting infrastructure-based digital development, and setting a benchmark for campuses.

At the HCC event, Prasert Kanthamanon, senior vice president for Administrative Affairs and Chief Information Officer, KMUTT shared their collaboration with Huawei to make “KMUTT4Life” a reality.

According to Prasert, KMUTT will build a living lab to support endless learning for everyone. Sanya Setpityakul, chief information officer and assistant vice president of Dhurakij Pundit University, added that by Huawei’s expertise it builds a platform to maintain education in the video conference classroom.

Huawei said that it believes the key to a digital and sustainable future lies in a thriving talent foundation. Huawei Thailand’s CEO Abel Deng emphasised that by promoting proactive collaboration with educational institutions, Huawei advocates an ICT talent ecosystem that will benefit Thailand 4.0.

Pattanasak Mongkolwat, the dean of ICT at Mahidol University, expressed appreciation for this strategy. “Huawei has added practical ICT knowledge and practices to our ICT faculty expertise. I believe this will enhance our students’ ability to work and excel in the real world scenarios.”

Published : February 04, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011883

B.Grimm Power Pcl, Thailand’s leading industrial power producer, has been included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022 for the first time, and awarded with the “Industry Mover” distinction.

B.Grimm Power Pcl, Thailand’s leading industrial power producer, has been included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022 for the first time, and awarded with the “Industry Mover” distinction.

The honours follow B.Grimm Power’s strongest year-on-year score improvement within the Electric Utilities industry.

“At B.Grimm Power, sustainability is the core,” said Dr Harald Link, chairman and president of the company.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to empower the world compassionately, through sustainable business practices covering economic, environmental, and social dimensions underpinned by good governance principles.”

The Sustainability Yearbook ranks global sustainability leaders based on the S&P Global ESG scores evaluated through the annual corporate sustainability assessment.

To be listed in the yearbook, companies must score within the top 15 per cent of their industry and must achieve an S&P Global ESG score within 30 per cent of their industry’s top-performing company. This year, over 7,500 companies were assessed, 716 of which were recognised as yearbook members.

Throughout 2021, B.Grimm Power also earned other recognitions for corporate sustainability performance at local and global levels. These recognitions include an “A” rating from the MSCI ESG Ratings; being named a member of the FTSE4Good Index Series for two years in a row; being part of the ESG 100 Group of Securities from the Thaipat Institute; and being honoured, for four consecutive years, as one of Thailand Sustainability Investment’s list of 146 companies on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with sustainable business operations.

B.Grimm Power also received the “Excellent” (5 stars) rating in the Corporate Governance Report 2021 of the Thai Institute of Directors for two years in a row, which reflects the company’s commitment to promote sustainable business growth under the principles of good governance and responsible value chain management by taking into account the economic, social and environmental impacts, the company said.

Published : February 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011840

Ajinomoto is a global manufacturer of high-quality food and amino acid-based products, which has been contributing to the food, health and nutrition industries through various applications of amino acid technologies.

Japanese multinational giant Ajinomoto Co Inc will be the official main sponsor of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be held in Vietnam in May 2022. 

The company said it would support the regional multi-sport event under the “Asean Victory Project” through its six subsidiaries in Southeast Asian countries by mainly providing seasonings and beverages as well as the amino acid-based “amino VITAL” products to athletes competing in the games.

Ajinomoto is a global manufacturer of high-quality food and amino acid-based products, which has been contributing to the food, health and nutrition industries through various applications of amino acid technologies.

Since 2003, Ajinomoto has been working on the “Victory Project” to nourish top-level athletes in Japan and has been conducting nutritional support activities by utilising the power of amino acids, including providing products such as “amino VITAL” and “Winning Meals Kachimeshi” to athletes.

Since 2018, six Ajinomoto Group subsidiaries in the Asean region have implemented the “Asean Victory Project” through sports associations, athletes, and sports schools in their respective countries. 

In Thailand, the project was initiated in 2018 when Ajinomoto Thailand started providing amino-based products to the national volleyball association. Following the tremendous success, the company has been expanding nutrition support to other sport associations, including the Badminton Association of Thailand in 2020.

Ajinomoto Group says it aims to become a “solution-providing group of companies for food and health issues” by unlocking the power of amino acids, resolving food and health issues associated with dietary habits and ageing, and contributing to greater wellness for people worldwide. 

“Based on the corporate message ‘Eat Well, Live Well’, we have been scientifically exploring the potential of amino acids while creating new value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society. This reflects the essence of our business motto called ‘The Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value (ASV)’,” the company said. ASV focuses on value creation in three aspects: creating a healthy society, maximising usage of food resources, and ensuring global sustainability.

Published : February 02, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011799

The company also aims to drive sales of move-in-ready projects worth more than 2.7 billion baht.

Property developer Grand Unity Development has announced an exciting raft of Bangkok projects in 2022 after hailing success in 2021 under its new-normal strategy.

Grand Unity successfully closed sales of CIELA Sripatum while also developing various other high-quality projects to international standards, acting managing director Taddao Chirasawadi said on Monday.

“For instance, ANIL Sathorn 12 became Thailand’s first residential project to receive the gold pre-certification for multi-family residences under the WELL Building Standard from the US-based International WELL Building Institute.”

Taddao said 2022 will be another game-changing year as the developer continues to explore locations with potential for growth, well-built infrastructure and convenient transportation – factors tailored to the new-normal lifestyle.

“Our highlight will be the launch of ‘blue’, a new condominium brand, as part of the BLUE Series, under the concept ‘Explore Your Area’.”

The affordable brand is designed to meet the lifestyle needs of today’s condo buyers’, breaking from Grand Unity’s past focus on middle to high-end buyers, Taddao said. “Blue” represents the identity, freedom and diversity of young professionals, she added.

The brand will feature three developments across Bangkok – blue Phahonyothin 35, blue Sukhumvit 89 and blue Sukhumvit 105 – with a combined value of more than 2.5 billion baht.

The company also aims to drive sales of move-in-ready projects worth more than 2.7 billion baht.

“We also have a revenue backlog of over 3.5 billion baht to be realised between 2022–2023,” Taddao said. She also revealed plans to develop projects along mass rapid transit lines worth about 8 billion baht once the economy recovers.

blue Phahonyothin 35

blue Phahonyothin 35 is an 800-million-baht complex of two 8-storey condos offering 322 fully furnished units close to Ratchayothin intersection in northern Bangkok’s business district. Six layouts are available from 24 to 37.50 square metres, with prices starting at 1.89 million baht. Sales open on February 26 with a promotion available at https://grandunity.co.th/th/blue-phahonyothin-35.

LINE official account @GrandUnity, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/GrandUnityDevelopment, website www.grandunity.co.th or call (02) 652 4000.

Published : February 01, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011763

SCB is the first Thai commercial bank among 129 financial institutions around the world to join the EP association.

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has joined the Equator Principles (EP) Association to promote environmental and social risk management for project finance, supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The move reflects the bank’s commitment in promoting the transition of every sector into a sustainable future, SCB said.

SCB is the first Thai commercial bank among 129 financial institutions around the world to join the EP association.
SCB CEO and chairman of the executive committee Arthid Nanthawithaya said the decision to join the association is another significant step in the bank’s commitment to promoting “sustainable finance” rather than just “responsible lending”.

To promote SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the bank undertakes to embrace the internationally recognised EPs in its policy formulation and to incorporate environmental and social factors into risk management processes for credit approval of project financing, he said.
“Implementing the Equator Principles will assist the bank in managing business risks in a more inclusive manner, allowing the bank and its clients to collaborate on assessing and formulating guidelines for mitigating environmental and social risks, all while adhering to world-class standards and procedures. 

“This is a collaborative effort to improve the standard of Thai banking while also pushing Thailand towards becoming a significant player in the Asean green business market. SCB is ready to act as a link between all sectors of growth and sustainable development, resulting in shared values and beneficial change for society and the planet,” added Arthid.
Since deciding to incorporate the EP in April 2021, SCB has made adjustment and improvement of credit policies and processes in line with the EPs. Executives and relevant personnel have received working guidelines, tools, and training to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and capabilities necessary to incorporate the EPs into their work, Arthid said.

Published : February 01, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40011653

The project, located next to Thonglor BTS station, has only 20 available units, which are priced at an average of 140 million baht per unit.

Real estate developer Scope Company Ltd plans to launch a 2.5-billion-baht project, its third on Sukhumvit Road this year, its chief executive officer Yongyutt Chaipromprasith said.

The project, located next to Thonglor BTS station, has only 20 available units, which are priced at an average of 140 million baht per unit.

All interior design and architectural design consultations are by New York-based architect and interior designer Thomas Juul-Hansen.

The company expects more than 4.5 billion baht in presales from the three projects this year.

In 2023, Scope plans a 2.2-billion-baht project on Sukhumvit 23.

Yongyutt said Scope will highlight its presence in the market this year with the unveiling of The Langsuan Clubhouse which is part of Scope Langsuan project.

The clubhouse covers an area of over 2,500 square metres and is also designed by Juul-Hansen. The cost of furniture alone is more than 100 million baht and there is a 25-seat cinema with the best sound system, he said. There is also the Langsuan Lounge, which is a rooftop terrace and lounge with standards superior to a 6-star hotel.

Meanwhile, the eight-storey condo project Scope Promsri will collaborate with French furniture brand Ligne Roset.

Yongyutt said the company has done quite well in terms of sales even though Covid-19 has slowed down construction. “I think products that focus on quality and differentiation, like our Scope Langsuan and Scope Promsri projects, are virtually unaffected [by Covid-19] when it comes to sales.”

“And the buyers of Scope are those with real demand, which means that they are buying for real living, not for speculation, and they form a group that has real and unmatched purchasing power.”

Scope will embark on more projects on the ‘”international premium” level at preferred locations in the future to create continuous growth, Yongyutt said.

The company will also launch a hospitality management business. That venture will reflect the company’s vision as a lifestyle company that not only develops residential projects but also strives to create a living experience, he said.

Published : January 28, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011652

Marriott’s loyalty programme has launched a promotion that offers members bonus points and a fast-track to Elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy members can register at https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/promotion.mi?promotion=EB22 before April 20 to earn 1,000 bonus points and an additional Elite Night Credit per paid night from February 8 to May 4.

This means a new member can reach Silver Elite status with just a five-night stay, with rewards including priority late check-out and 10 per cent bonus points on eligible future hotel stays, flights or car rental.

The offer is global and members can earn unlimited bonus points and bonus Elite Night Credits during the 85-day earning period. Members must book directly with Marriott on Marriott.com, Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app or through a reservations centre. Rates available through most third-party online retailers do not qualify for this promotion.

However, the following brands are not participating in the promotion: Homes & Villas by Marriott International, Marriott Executive Apartments and Marriott Vacation Club owner-occupied weeks. Ritz-Carlton Reserve, BVLGARI, and other hotels that do not currently participate in Marriott Bonvoy are also excluded from the promotion.

Published : January 28, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011651

Five plastic waste management projects by Dow Thailand Group have been certified under the Low Emission Support Scheme (LESS) by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO).

The projects are expected to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 147 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This achievement aligns with its goals to become carbon neutral by 2050 and collect 1 million tonnes of plastic waste for recycling or reuse by 2030, the company said.

The projects include:
• Recycling Waste Management project within the Dow Thailand Group (Bangkok and Rayong offices)
• Community Model Project for Integrated Waste Management (Koh Klang Community, Bangkok);
• Lod Lok Lueh (collected and recycled plastics programme) in partnership with Ban Chang municipality, Rayong province;
• International Coastal Cleanup project in Ban Chang district, Rayong province;
• Dow Thailand Challenge: Stop Plastic Disposal project— which have collected more than 6.2 tons of used plastic as well as other recyclable waste material.

Dow Thailand Group’s president, Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, said: “Dow is a global leader in materials science, with more than 30 years of dedication to sustainable practices, particularly in combating climate change and managing plastic waste. We are pleased that our five plastic waste management projects have been verified by TGO, demonstrating the efficiency of our projects in helping the environment. I want to thank our project partners who contributed to making this happen. We look forward to growing these projects and witnessing their benefits in the future.”

The company said its manufacturing facilities and technologies have been recognised for contributing to climate change mitigation and promoting the circular economy.

In 2021, Dow received multiple awards for its sustainable practices, such as:
• The Carbon Footprint Label Certificate, from TGO
• The Ambassador’s Award: Thailand – US partnership in Technological Advancement for a Low-Carbon Future, from the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand
The Green Factory and the Prime Minister’s Industry Award (Circular Economy category), from the Ministry of Industry.

Published : January 28, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40011627

The fund first won the award in that category in 2017, and then followed it up with successes in 2018 and 2019, said Principal Asset Management (Principal).

The Registered Provident Fund of “Principal Target Date Retirement” was the winner for the fourth year in the Provident Fund awards for pooled funds less than 10 billion baht.

The fund first won the award in that category in 2017, and then followed it up with successes in 2018 and 2019, said Principal Asset Management (Principal).
The fund, established in the third quarter of 2014, finished runner-up in 2020, said Pajaree Punyashthiti, Principal executive vice president and head of Provident Fund and Private Fund Business Development.
She said the fund would hit 10 billion baht soon as it currently consists of 31,977 members from 285 companies.
“The fund has received a good response among companies as it was designed to meet the needs of members who have different retirement dates,” she said.

She explained that members can choose investment plans based on their age and risk tolerance, while the fund manager will adjust members’ investment portfolios both short-term and long-term, focusing on diversifying investment in various assets, such as bonds, equities, properties and gold.
“Members who retire from their position can continue to keep their investment with the fund,” she said. “The fund also allows members who have expertise in investment allocation to adjust their investment by themselves.”
Pajaree said Principal is a world-class financial service provider with expertise in retirement savings for more than 140 years.

She said the asset management had won Morningstar Award, Money & Banking Magazine Award and Fund Selector Asia Awards so far.
She added that Principal also provides other services to fund members, such as Provident Fund Analytical Report for financial health assessment and “Plan Wise, Retire Well” for financial planning.
“In addition, the asset management also creates awareness on savings and investments to members both online and onsite,” she added.

Published : January 28, 2022