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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021415

AXONS launches platform to provide farmers with cutting-edge tech

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Thai agri-tech information system development specialist AXONS has launched an “OPEN Platform” to provide farmers with cutting-edge technology so they can expand their businesses.

AXONS managing director and executive Sunsern Samaisut said at a press conference on Wednesday that the move is part of the company’s business strategy to expand its customer base.

He expects the platform to encourage farmers to “easily digitalise” their farms and businesses.

Sunsern pointed out that technology is required to increase the amount of food available. This will help meet the needs of a growing global population, which is expected to reach a massive 10 billion by 2050.

“Whether it’s agricultural crop production, livestock farming, or food processing, technology can help businesses lower costs while improving quality and production efficiency across their value chain,” Sunsern noted.

He said that after being the driving force behind the success of leading companies for more than 40 years, particularly Charoen Pokphand Foods, one of the world’s largest food chains, AXONS decided to launch the open platform.

The goal is to allow farmers and other customers to participate in the network’s expansion and use digital technology to drive business operations and growth.

AXONS has developed innovative agricultural technology for upstream (crops for animal feed, horticulture, land and aquatic animal farms), midstream (food processing business, warehouse management, and transportation management), and downstream (food processing business, warehouse management, and transportation management), including industries (wholesale-retail business, fresh market, restaurant, delivery platforms, and CRM – Customer Relationship Management).

It also covers both offline and online channels (O2O), including a quality traceability platform built on blockchain technology to ensure transparency, transforming every organisation into a digital workplace.

“Through the concept of ‘shared digital infrastructure’, businesses of all sizes can afford AXONS’ cutting-edge technology, which can help them reduce reliance on international software, lower production costs and increase efficiency,” Sunsern explained.

The agri-tech industry is now valued at more than US$17 billion (647.6 billion baht) and is expected to grow to $40 billion in the next five years.

Hence, Sansern believes AXONS has been presented with a golden opportunity to elevate the country’s agricultural industry and food chain management to a global level.

Thailand, he said, has robust agricultural infrastructure. The agricultural sector contributes 1.38 trillion baht to the country’s GDP, making it the “Kitchen of the World”. Therefore, the advancement of agri-tech will elevate and accelerate Thailand’s position as a global agricultural leader, he added.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/corporate/40021404

PTTEP continues to expand investment in UAE, acquires stakes in Sharjah Onshore Area A exploration block

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

THE NATION

Bangkok, October 26, 2022 – PTTEP further expands its investment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by acquiring 25% participating interest in the Sharjah Onshore Area A from Eni. The investment is PTTEP’s fifth project in the UAE as the company continues to strengthen presence and growth in the petroleum prolific area in the Middle East.

Mr Montri Rawanchaikul, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), revealed that the company’s subsidiary, PTTEP MENA Limited, has signed a Farm-in Agreement to acquire 25% stake of the Sharjah Onshore Area A, an exploration block of the Sharjah Emirate from Eni Sharjah B.V., a subsidiary of Italy-based integrated Energy Company Eni. The process is expected to be completed within 2022 after fulfilling conditions in the agreement and obtaining government approvals.

“PTTEP continues to expand our investment in our strategic focus area in the Middle East, with this Sharjah Onshore Area A being the fifth project in UAE since the company’s first entry into UAE in 2019. The investment reflects our strategic emphasis on natural gas resources and the growing partnership with Eni through which our strengths are combined to unlock new reserves,” said PTTEP’s CEO.

Situated in the Sharjah Emirate, north of the UAE, Sharjah Onshore Area A spans over an area of approximately 437 square kilometers. Eni has been awarded this exploration block from Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) in early 2019. Upon the completion of the acquisition, participating interest of Sharjah Onshore Area A will comprise Eni Sharjah B.V. (Operator) 50%, SNOC 25% and PTTEP MENA 25%.

Apart from the Sharjah Onshore Area A, PTTEP invests in four other projects in the UAE namely the Abu Dhabi Offshore 1, the Abu Dhabi Offshore 2, and the Abu Dhabi Offshore 3, and the Sharjah Onshore Area C. All are in the exploration phase and in partnership with Eni. PTTEP and Eni recently announced a successful discovery of significant gas resources in the Abu Dhabi Offshore 2 in August this year.
 

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021399

JKN aims to become global content commerce firm after securing Miss Universe rights

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

Thai firm JKN Global Group (JKN) secured the rights to the Miss Universe pageant in a bid to strengthen its business and become a “global content commerce company”.

JKN on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) after successful negotiations with IMG Worldwide, the subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings, for around US$20 million (approximately 762 million baht).

JKN chief executive Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip said MUO is a global organisation that was founded 71 years ago. Around 500 million people across the world watch the competition, while contestants from as many as 94 countries vie for the crown each year.

The acquisition of MUO will transform the business in managing the rights of the Miss Universe pageant in each country, Jakkaphong said.

Meanwhile, the company plans to use the Miss Universe brand to strengthen its commerce businesses – from food, beverages and supplements to cosmetics and lifestyle products.

“JKN’s acquisition of MUO is one of the strategies that will drive business growth,” she said.

“JKN will not only manage the pageant and broadcast the Miss Universe contest but will also use the brand to build on producing and marketing consumer goods in every country to create growth for JKN and help it become a ‘global content commerce company’,” Jakkaphong said.

She also mentioned that she founded a company called JKN Metaverse in the United States to facilitate the transfer of five companies :
1. IMG Universe
2. IMG Universe FranchCo
3. Miss USA BR Production
4. MUO Productions
5. Miss USA Productions OH

Once the transfers are complete, IMG Universe will be renamed JKN Universe and IMG Universe FranchCo will be called JKN Universe FranchCo.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021398

Consumer group seeks probe of alleged law breaking by NBTC in True-Dtac case

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) on Wednesday asked the House committee on corruption prevention and suppression to probe alleged law breaking by the telecom watchdog over the planned merger of two telecom giants.

TCC secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang filed a complaint with Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, chairman of the House panel, alleging the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) violated several points of the law last week when it gave the green light for True Corporation and Total Access Communication (Dtac) to go ahead with their merger deal.

The NBTC voted 3:2 on the resolution, saying it had no power to either approve or reject the merger but could only enact measures to govern the deal to minimise the impact on consumers.

Saree said the way the five NBTC members voted could violate Section 157 of the Criminal Code that prohibits state officials from committing malfeasance or nonfeasance.

The initial vote resulted in a draw of two-two because a NBTC member abstained, so the chairman cast a decisive vote to “acknowledge” the amalgamation.

Saree noted that a NBTC directive issued in 2018 stipulated that if two types of telecom businesses are merged, it must comply with Point 8 the NBTC directive issued in 2006, which empowered the watchdog to consider approving or rejecting the deal.

In particular, Saree said, the TCC suspected that the NBTC member who abstained had allegedly committed dereliction of duty.

She noted the NBTC had also failed to hold public hearings on mitigation measures issued to govern the deal.

Saree said the TCC believes the governing measures will not benefit consumers and will discourage the merged companies from investing to expand mobile phone access in rural areas.

After receiving the complaint, Sereepisuth said the NBTC act required such a deal to be deliberated upon by seven NBTC members, so he wondered why only five members considered it and gave it the green light.

“I suspect the process was rushed through and there might be a conflict of interest,” Sereepisuth said.

The TCC had earlier said it would file a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court as well to ask it to order the revocation of the NBTC’s acknowledgement of the merger and to issue an injunction to suspend the merger pending a ruling by the court. The lawsuit is expected to be filed next month.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021388

CPS: One-stop logistics service provider, Thai company penetrating global market

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

THE NATION

CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited (CPS), an integrated transport and logistics service provider, has set strategies for growth in 2023 by joining forces with Korean partners to expand its portfolio with a new focus on large projects both Power Plant Project and Petrochemical Project in a bid to strengthen the Thai company to meet international standards.

CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited (CPS) is one of the Thai firms established by Thai entrepreneurs. With strong partners from Korea, the company can penetrate markets in both Thailand and Korea. Over the past 11 years, CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited (CPS) has grown continuously. The company prompts to build the reputation of Thai transport and logistics with high competitive capabilities and to compete with foreign shipping companies.

Mr Gil Hwan Kim, Chief Executive Officer of CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited said that almost every market faced the same difficulty during COVID-19 outbreak 2019 to 2022. However, he believed that global markets including transport and logistics businesses would be able to bounce back in active after 2023. 

Gil Hwan Kim said about 100 Korean companies operating businesses in Thailand including three major players: Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and POSCO. As such, CPS can create many opportunities from electrical and electronic industry, automobile industry, energy and petrochemical industry, bringing even more strength for CPS.

Having good partners from Korea is one of key successes for CPS. In this regard, Mr Gil Hwan Kim said “Throughout the last 20 years, I have worked mainly in sales with Korean partners. But working with a Thai company is an eye-opener and I can discover new opportunities in Thailand. As a result, collaboration brings more strength to CPS to become an integrated logistics company that can serve customers in both Thailand and Korea”. In the past, CPS has grown strongly and expanded its customer base into manufacturing areas such as EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction). The company planned to capture more customers in China and Europe in 2023. It hoped that every staff member would help work and convey CPS reputation to become an international brand in the coming year.

Sukhawan Sutthiwong, Managing Director of CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited (CPS), said that CPS was founded in 2011 with only five employees, starting from the shipping and logistics business. The company has been expanding business steadily until the present. CPS operates an integrated transportation and logistics business. Under the company’s intention, it wishes to create a remarkable Thai logistics business as strong as foreign companies. During COVID-19 epidemic, CPS has developed potential employees along with technology development to be ready to tackle uncertainty situations. Currently, staff are able to work from home or work from anywhere without interruption.

Sukhawan said that over the past 11 years, CPS has grown continuously. Until now, it is the total logistics provider serving customs clearance, sea freight, air freight, truck freight, import permit service, customs specialist involved transportation regarding BOI investment and multimodal cross border transport.

For the next step of CPS, Sukhawan said the company would continue to build strength to be more outstanding. “We have partners from Korea and all over the world. CPS planned to add more jobs, increase the number of existing transactions. Currently, we have three large concession transport projects for next year, hoping it will be another good year for us”

CPS Shipping and Logistics Company Limited (CPS) is a total logistics provider with more than 20 years of experience. The company provides international delivery services via air, sea, truck, project and factory transport, customs clearance and investment formalities. With professional teams and pro-long experience, the company is committed to increase competitiveness of customers and satisfaction under its vision set to be an integrated logistics management in Thailand with international standards.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021384

A world driven by 5G in focus at global forum in Bangkok organised by Huawei

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Huawei is leading some of the world’s leading technology companies at a forum demonstrating 5G’s potential, which unlocks endless possibilities.

The purpose of the 13th Global Mobile Broadband Forum, which is hosted by Huawei in Bangkok, is to highlight the importance of the 5G network. Additionally, it provides a platform for its global partners to exchange the most recent technology and showcase various 5G use cases.

Huawei’s rotating chairman Ken Hu said at the forum’s opening ceremony on Tuesday that 5G is currently moving quickly, with significant advancements being made in network deployment, consumer services, and business applications.

However, in his view, all partners need to work together to fully unleash the power of 5G networks and expand into services like cloud and system integration.

“Together, we can drive the development of 5G, new applications, and new growth in the ICT sector,” Hu said.

He then proposed some practical guidelines for capitalising on this opportunity, such as expanding networks for improved user experience, driving the development of 5.5G, and improving service innovation to maximise the value of 5G.

James Chen, president of the Global Sales Department of Huawei Carrier BG, pointed out that 5G is driving industry development in many ways; 5G users consume twice as much data as 4G users, with 10-times faster speeds and the highest security networks.

Meanwhile, representatives of leading technology companies from Oman, Argentina, England, South Korea, and Thailand used the occasion to share 5G-use cases and the changes that 5G brings to their countries.

Despite the fact that their use cases are in different stages of development, they all agree that 5G is the real solution to a smooth digital transformation. It is a limitless opportunity to explore all possibilities.

According to Huawei, more than 230 carriers around the world have launched commercial 5G services as of October 2022. Over three million 5G base stations have been installed, serving over 700 million subscribers.

Consumer services continue to account for the majority of carrier revenue in the telecom industry. As 5G becomes more common, the vastly superior experience it provides is driving new shifts in consumer behaviour, including a sharp increase in high-definition video traffic.

New mobile applications take advantage of 5G’s faster speeds and lower latency have more than doubled average user data consumption and are increasing average revenue per user by 20-40 per cent, contributing to a steady increase in carrier revenue from connectivity.

Simultaneously, business to business 5G applications are becoming a new engine for carrier revenue growth, generating significant value in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and transportation.

Lara Dewar, CMO of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), who co-hosted the event, insisted that with 5G becoming increasingly important, the decision to implement 5G now will undoubtedly shape a bright future.

Huawei is hosting the Global Mobile Broadband Forum in 2022 along with its business associates GSMA and Global Technology Innovation (GTI).

Mobile network providers, vertical industry leaders, and ecosystem partners from all over the world have come together for this annual forum to talk about how to make 5G a commercial success as well as other trending topics like green development, intelligence, and 5G evolution.

The three-day event is being held at the Queen Sirikit Convention Center from October 25–27.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021377

PTT unveils wide-ranging EV ecosystem plan to push for low-carbon society

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Oil giant PTT Plc has unveiled a comprehensive EV ecosystem plan involving the manufacturing of electric vehicles and EV batteries, installation of EV-charging stations, and renting of EVs with the ambitious goal of making Thailand a low-carbon society.

The plan was unveiled by PTT CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon on Tuesday. The CEO said the EV ecosystem plan would support the government’s policy to make Thailand a low-carbon society.

He said the EV ecosystem plan would define new businesses of the PTT group that would focus on investments in alternative clean energy during the transition of internal combustion engines to battery-powered vehicles.

As part of the plan, Arun Plus, a subsidiary of PTT, has joined hands with Taiwan’s Foxconn to set up Horizon Plus Co Ltd for an EV manufacturing business called EV Value Chain.

Auttapol said Horizontal Plus would build its factory on a plot of 300-rai (48 hectares) of land in the Eastern Economic Corridor in the third quarter of this year.

As part of the EV ecosystem, PTT Oil and Retail Business Co Ltd will focus on the mobility and lifestyle of a low-carbon society by building up to 450 EV-charging stations within this year.

Auttapol said the charging stations would be installed at PTT petrol stations.

The EV ecosystem would also promote people’s familiarity with EVs by renting electric vehicles of various brands via the EVme app. Currently, the app provides 200 EVs of Tesla Model 3 Long Range, MG EP and Nissan Leaf models for renting.

Auttapol said about 90 per cent of the 200 EVs were always rented, so PTT would increase the rented fleet by 500 more vehicles within this year.

He said Global Power Synergy Plc, which is under PTT, has a goal to generate 8,000 megawatts of electricity from alternative sources, such as wind and solar energy, within 2030.

He said Global Power Synergy would also make batteries and power-supply devices for charging EVs.

To support the government’s low carbon emission goal, PTT has planned a carbon capture and storage pilot project at its Arthit Gas and Condensate Field in the Gulf of Thailand, Auttapol said.

He added that PTT would be the first refinery firm in Thailand to use advanced technology to capture and store carbon and the project would help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by a million tonne per year. The project is now in the feasibility study process and it is expected to be implemented in 2027.

Auttapol said PTT is also experimenting with the use of hydrogen by-product from a refinery to power electricity-generating turbines to reduce carbon emissions.

He said PTT has also set up the PTT Group Net Zero Task Force, or G-Net, with representatives from six flagship companies of the group. The task force will help PTT achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2040 and net zero emission by 2050, Auttapol said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40021376

SCGP unveils expansion strategy focused on mergers & partnerships

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Siam Cement Group Packaging (SCGP), Thailand’s leading packaging producer, unveiled a business expansion strategy emphasising mergers and innovation on Tuesday.

The strategy is part of the company’s effort to maintain growth after recording earnings of 112,559 billion baht in the first three quarters, a 26-per-cent rise from the same period last year.

The company’s continuous growth was the result of mergers and partnerships (M&A) in high-potential businesses, as well as chain integration to boost performance, CEO Wichan Jitpukdee told a press conference at SCGP headquarters on Tuesday.

M&A would therefore remain ACGP’s primary strategy for expansion in coming years, he said.

He added that as well as collaborating with innovative packaging solution firms, SCGP is looking to tap recycling companies, whether new or existing, to help drive long-term growth.

The firm recently completed M&P deals with Peute Recycling BV (Peute), a packaging material recycling company in the Netherlands, and Jordan Trading Inc (Jordan) of the US.

Wichan said that the collaborations with Jordan and Peute would hasten expansion of SCGP’s international packaging recycling network.

Peute, and Jordan’s best practices would also lead to an improvement in the standard of recycling operations in the ASEAN region.

In addition to emphasising M&P, Wichan said SCGP will boost production efficiency by creating novel solutions through research and development.

The firm recently partnered with three of Thailand’s top medical supplies distributors to expand Deltalab’s customer base throughout Asean in response to rising demand for healthcare and medical supplies.

SCGP will also prioritise the ESG4 Plus (Environment, Social, and Governance) framework for sustainability to achieve its net zero goal by 2050 and raise the percentage of environmentally friendly packaging that is recyclable, reusable, or compostable from 99.7 per cent to 100 per cent.

Rising revenue in the first nine months came from an increase in M&A and higher demand for food and beverage packaging as a result of the country’s reopening and improved Covid-19 situation, said Wichan.

Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) were 15.848 billion baht, up 1 per cent from the same period last year.

However, profits fell by 13 per cent from the same period last year due to higher energy and raw material costs.

He said domestic consumption and tourism are expected to recover steadily in the ASEAN economy from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023.

“This will boost demand for essential goods such as food and beverages, as well as other consumer products, as orders are being prepared in advance of year-end festivities. Packaging would remain an important component of supply chain continuity to meet the region’s growing consumer consumption,” Wichan said.

However, he warned that a weaker-than-expected recovery in China may impact the Asean packaging industry, while global energy costs are expected to remain high.

He expressed confidence, though, that SCGP would meet its targeted sales revenue of 150 billion baht in 2022.

Nongluck Ajanapanya