Jakgrich Pibulpairoj, the company’s president, said the group will focus on pursuing overseas expansion mainly in countries where it has been operating, such as the Philippines and South Korea, as well as in new markets including Taiwan.

“At the same time, the company will explore investment opportunities in new ventures relating to its core business, such as LNG and industrial estate. We are also interested in business the company has never invested in, to be in line with the economic situation in the age of disruption”.

Currently, the company is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the development of “EGCO Rayong Industrial Estate” amid rising investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Meanwhile, its new power projects in the Philippines and Laos are expected to start commercial operation by the end of this year which will boost growth in the company’s revenue.

The company achieved its financial target for the first half of 2019 with a normal operating profit of Bt5.509 billion before the effects of foreign exchange, deferred income tax and lease income, representing an increase of Bt1.045 billion or 23 per cent year-on-year.

The group’s board of directors has approved an interim dividend payment of Bt3.25 per share for the first half , to be paid on September 16, 2019.

Four power projects in the pipeline are progressing on schedule. The “Xayaburi” hydropower plant in Laos and the “San Buenaventura” coal-fired power plant in the Philippines will be completed and begin commercial operation in the fourth quarter of this year. The third project, “Nam Theun 1” hydro power plant in Laos, will be completed and start commercial operation in 2022 while construction has just started for the “Gangdong” fuel cell power plant in South Korea with commercial operation scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2020.

As for the progress of new invesment, the company is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with public participation on the development of the “EGCO Rayong Industrial Estate”.

The 1st Public Participation on the draft proposal of the EGCO Rayong industrial was held on August 26, focusing on the construction of a power plant serving the province, aimed at transforming it into a smart industrial estate in order to support investment in the EEC.

As of August 31, 2019, EGCO Group runs 27 operating power plants with total equity contracted capacity of 5,147 MW in six countries across Asia Pacific region – Thailand, Laos , the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and South Korea while four projects are under construction with total equity contracted capacity of 554 MW.

The company’s power plants are driven by various fuel sources, including natural gas, coal, biomass, hydro, solar, wind, geothermal and fuel cell.

SQ28 departed Changi Airport at 9.27am on Tuesday and is scheduled to arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the same day at 9.05am (US Pacific time). The flight takes about 14 hours and 40 minutes.

Seattle is the fourth US destination after Los Angeles, New York (Newark) and San Francisco to be served non-stop from Singapore. The Seattle flights will initially be operated three times weekly, before being increased to four times weekly in October – bringing the total number of weekly non-stop Singapore-US services to 31.

“The new Seattle services will further strengthen the Singapore hub by providing customers faster and more convenient connectivity from key markets such as South-east Asia, South Asia and Australasia to North America,” SIA said in a press statement.

The Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which is fitted with 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy Class and 187 Economy Class seats, are used on the route.

According to SIA, the A350-900 offers customers “an improved travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body, and cabin lighting designed to reduce jetlag”.

From Sept 3-14, customers travelling in Premium Economy and Economy classes on the Seattle flights may enjoy complimentary 30MB Wi-Fi text messaging, though this will be valid for only two hours, or when the limit is reached. Redemption details are available at the boarding gate counter, SIA said.

Currently on selected aircraft types, Suites and First Class passengers enjoy unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi, while Business Class passengers, PPS Club members and supplementary cardholders enjoy complimentary 100MB.

SIA on Tuesday added that customers departing on the carrier’s first flight to Seattle received an exclusive goodie bag containing items such as a commemorative certificate, SIA batik pen, passport cover and a mini notepad featuring the Seattle skyline.

Upon arrival at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the aircraft will also be receiving a water cannon salute, SIA said.

As at 12.15pm on Tuesday, SIA shares were trading at $8.81, up 0.3 per cent, or three cents.

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/sias-first-non-stop-flight-to-seattle-takes-off

“Thai travellers in Japan will enjoy greater convenience and easier bill payments by simply scanning a Thai QR code using the Krungsri Mobile application (KMA) or mobile applications of participating banks, namely Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikornbank,” said Thakorn Piyapan, head of Krungsri Consumer Group.

Customers will receive an immediate acknowledgement of their bill amount in Thai baht at the point of sale, with a better exchange rate.

KMA customers making payment via a Thai QR payment will enjoy a promotional campaign with triple benefits, including discounts and cash-back. At this initial stage, customers can make a Thai QR payment at Takeya, also known as the Purple Buildings.

Krungsri is a strategic member of MUFG, Japan’s largest financial group and one of the world’s largest financial organisations.

“With the ‘think digital first’ strategy adopted for financial innovation enhancement, as well as our synergies with MUFG and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, Krungsri is leveraging financial expertise in Japan by successfully introducing a new platform, Thai QR payment, at Japan’s leading shopping centre, reinforcing our position as ‘the genuine expert on Japan’,” said Thakorn, who is also the Krungsri head of digital banking and innovation division.

At the initial stage, customers can use mobile applications of any of the four banks in making payments at Takeya, also known as Purple Buildings, one of the most popular shopping centres in Ueno, Tokyo. Through the strong relationship of the Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, the largest consumer finance business in Japan, Krungsri and Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS seek to expand the Thai QR payment to Japan’s other shopping places well-known to Thai customers.

“MUFG”s full support has enhanced Krungsri’s premier privileges offered to our customers,” Thakorn said. The peak travel season in Japan among Thai tourists is normally from about September 1 to the end of the year.

The programme offers triple benefits for KMA customers. First, they will receive a 5 per cent discount at Takeya when spending at least 5,000 yen. Second, they will get an 8 per cent tax refund when spending at least 5,000 yen, and third, there is a 3-5 per cent cash-back of up to Bt300 per person per month from Krungsri.

“This is a ground-breaking move emphasising Krungsri’s leadership in digital banking and solid synergies between Krungsri and MUFG. For those who love travelling in Japan or who wish for an authentic Japanese travel experience through Japanese restaurants or shops, Krungsri stands ready to offer them plenty of privileges,” said Thakorn.

The collaboration will promote the connectivity of payment systems in line with the rapidly evolving digital economy, which poses both challenges and opportunities for the banking businesses of the two countries. The cooperation is vital to the joint effort to embrace the digital economy and digital banking system.

Photo shows Predee Daochai, right, chairman of the TBA and Tae-Young Kim, left, chairman and CEO of KFB.

Kerry Express is Thailand’s biggest cash-on-delivery operator with their “next-day delivery” service covering 99.9 per cent of the population.

The announcement comes at a time when local and global parcel delivery operators face a growing customer base, increased competition from start-ups and digital platforms, the growing quantity and value of data, and the rise of the digital consumer.

Kerry Express has deployed Nutanix solutions to increase the productivity of its core IT infrastructure as the company aims to ensure its business remains relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Kerry is embracing software to provide enhanced services, rather than relying on legacy, hardware-based infrastructure that was designed and developed more than 25 years ago, the statement added.

“Nutanix software now gives the company the ability to take control of its infrastructure and close the gap between customer demands and expectations and the company’s ability to meet and beat them.”

According to Nutanix, the software is simple, scalable and secure, using a single dashboard, or control plane, to manage the entire network. As a result, it requires less management and resources, and the technical ability required to operate it is minimal.

Kerry Express also has to balance the adoption of new software technologies with legacy hardware. Because it is an open platform, Nutanix does not restrict it from using any other hardware, software or application.

As consumers become more dependent on digital platforms, they expect the same simplicity, flexibility and quality of service in other industries. At the same time, a growing global middle class, increased Internet availability and access, and rising dependence on e-commerce means the ability to deliver to remote locations in emerging economies will become critical.

“Kerry Express has once again shown why it is one of the country’s leading businesses,” said Thawipong Anotaisinthawee, Nutanix country manager for Thailand. “Rather than trying to plug gaps in its ageing infrastructure, it took a bold decision to re-design it for the future. They truly understand the value that well designed IT can add to the business and their customers.”

Said Stephen Bao, head of IT, Kerry Express: “As the market continues to evolve, our response has to become almost immediate. The business environment now requires so much immediate and real-time attention and detail. Nutanix gives us those in abundance.”

Kerry Express is “confident in the ability of its IT infrastructure to not only manage the challenges ahead but to deliver the ultimate customer experience in Thailand and across Asia and keep one step ahead of the competition”.

The contract was signed by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, chairman of AirAsia X Berhad, along with Guillaume Faury, chief executive of Airbus, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, in the presence of Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Tony Fernandes, the CEO of  AirAsia Group, who was present at the signing, said, “This order reaffirms our selection of the A330neo as the most efficient choice for our future wide-body fleet. In addition, the A321XLR offers the longest flying range of any single aisle aircraft and will enable us to introduce services to new destinations. Together, these aircraft are perfect partners for long-haul, low-cost operations and will allow us to build further on our market leading position in this fast-growing sector.”

Aziz said, Today’s announcement is testament to our confidence and commitment to longer haul air travel. This is the future of our long-haul operations. The A330neo’s revolutionary new features and modifications will move our long-haul service sectors up to a higher level and allow AirAsia X to look at expanding beyond the eight-hour flight radius, such as to Europe, for example.”

Faury of Airbus said, “AirAsia X has been the pioneer of the long-haul, low-cost model in the Asia-Pacific region. This new order for the A330neo and A321XLR is a true endorsement of the Airbus solution to meet mid-market demand with a combination of single aisle and wide-body products. This powerful solution will provide AirAsia X with the lowest possible operating costs to expand its network and enable even more people to fly further than ever before.”

The new contract increases the number of A330neo aircraft ordered by AirAsia X to 78, reaffirming the carrier’s status as the largest airline customer for the type. Meanwhile, the A321XLR order sees the wider AirAsia Group strengthen its position as the world’s largest airline customer for the A320 “family”, having now ordered a total of 622 aircraft.

AirAsia X currently operates a fleet of 36 A330-300s on services to points within the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. In addition, in August the first A330neo joined the fleet of AirAsia’s Bangkok-based long haul affiliate, AirAsia X Thailand. The aircraft is the first of two leased A330neos joining the airline’s Thai affiliate by the end of the year.