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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022382

BTS Group collaborates with top domestic banks to introduce a new dimension of investment: “Sustainability-Linked Bonds”

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Bangkok, November 23, 2022 – BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited or BTS Group, together with Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, Kasikorn Bank Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, and CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited, held a seminar on the topic of a new dimension of investment “Sustainability-Linked Bonds”.

The goal of this seminar is to provide information to investors and gain an overview of the ESG Bond and Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLB), as well as create awareness for investors on the topics of: How will  these bonds positively impact the environment, society and create sustainability?

Ms. Ariya Tiranaprakit, deputy managing director of the Thai Bond Market Association (TBMA), said that the overall ESG Bond market, including Green bond, Social bond, Sustainability bond and Sustainability-Linked Bond, in the first 10 months of 2022, had a total issuance value of 158.140 billion THB. This consists of 105 billion THB or 66% of issuance by the government sector and 53.140 billion THB or 34% by the private sector, resulting in ESG Bonds having an outstanding value of 449.636 billion THB, an increase of 50% from the end of 2021 at 299.296 billion THB.

The trend of the ESG bonds is growing steadily through the implementation of government policies and the fundraising strategies of various companies. In the first half of 2022, the group with the highest share of ESG bond holdings is  insurance companies at 25.56%, the second highest is banks at 20.16%, followed by 18.84% for GPF funds, and 17.89% for foreign investors.

This seminar is one of the ways to create awareness in ESG bonds. Moreover, it helps investors for easier access to ESG information which can lead to efficient fund raising by the issuer.

Mr. Surayut Thavikulwat, Chief Financial Officer of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, said that the Sustainability-Linked Bonds that the Company will offer this time is a new dimension for investment in that everyone who invests will be involved in creating sustainability together with the Company, with a satisfactory return on investment and acceptable risk level. He is confident that it will be well received by investors.

The Sustainability-Linked Bonds offered during November 2022 have 4 tranches, with semiannually interest payment. The subscription period is on 25 and 28-29 November 2022 through 5 leading financial institutions, Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and CIMB Thai Bank. The bonds have been rated “A” according to the TRIS Rating. A minimum subscription has been set at a value of 100,000 THB and will be sold in increments of 100,000 THB.

“This issuance of this SLB is in line with BTS Group’s long-term climate strategy by maintaining carbon neutrality and increasing the proportion of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources in at least 10% of operations.” said Mr. Surayut.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022377

Grab launches post-paid option for consumers to pay for services with single bill

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Grab, a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, is expanding into digital financial services in Thailand with the launch of “PayLater by Grab”.

Worachat Luxkanalode, country head of Grab Thailand, said at a press conference on Wednesday that the objective of this facility is to provide more payment options for all Grab services in one single bill.

Beginning next month, this post-paid service will provide Grab users with enhanced flexibility, seamless experience and extra benefits across mobility as well as deliveries of food, parcel, and on-demand everyday goods, he said.

“To provide a better experience to our users, we have introduced ‘PayLater by Grab’, starting with the launch of the post-paid service to enable Grab users to pay for all services in one single bill each month,” Worachat said.

The move follows the increasing popularity of digital commerce in the past few years, which have given rise to new digital financial services that can better serve customers’ needs.

According to a report by e-Conomy SEA 2022, the total transaction volume of digital payment in Thailand is expected to reach US$113 billion in 2022 and grow by 12% within 2025. One of the fastest-growing services is the “Buy Now, Pay Later” service, which allows customers to manage their expenses more conveniently.

Worachat pointed out that today, almost two-thirds of Grab users choose cashless payment methods, including GrabPay Wallet and debit/credit cards.

He added that the post-paid service under PayLater by Grab has three key advantages:

● Flexibility — users can combine all transactions into one single bill and pay for it the following month;
● Seamless — users can choose the post-paid method before confirming an order across all Grab service applications; 
● Extra points — users can earn up to two GrabRewards points for every 16 baht spent on Grab.

Worachat said that the launch of PayLater by Grab is part of the company’s efforts to respond to consumer behaviour by providing financial liquidity to Grab users.

He vowed to continue expanding its service offerings in the future to meet the various digital payment needs of both users and partners.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022378

BTS Group drives the Intelligent Mass Transit Systems in the Thailand Smart City Bangkok Model Conference

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022

November 15, 2022 – Mr. Surayut Thavikulwat, Chief Financial Officer, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited or BTS Group, participated in the “Thailand Smart City Bangkok Model” conference and discussed the topic of “Smart Commuter, Smart Transportation, and the Intelligent Mass Transit Systems for the Growth of Bangkok”.

The conference aimed to drive the business operation to support the carbon reduction.

BTS Group has been certified as a carbon-neutral company by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) or TGO, and is the first carbon-neutral rail company in the world.

BTS Group will officially operate the monorail trains in Yellow and Pink lines which utilize environment-friendly materials such as rubber wheels that can reduce friction and noise pollution, and will and carry out a feasibility study on solar PV rooftops at its Pink and Yellow Line Monorail depots.

Moreover, to serve the Smart City initiative, BTS Group continues to promote and expand the coverage of financial services from Rabbit Digital to align with the Smart City concept that focuses on the development of technology to enhance the safety and quality of life.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022352

AMCHAM Thailand Announces Winners for CSR Excellence Awards 2022

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022

On November 22, 2022, The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AMCHAM) recognized 91 companies at the 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Awards to honour the CSR efforts of AMCHAM members in the Kingdom.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa, the US Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, Thai Trade Representative M.L.Chayotid Kridakon, and AMCHAM President Jeff Nygaard presided over the awards ceremony and recognized companies that demonstrate commitment to conducting business responsibly and giving back to local communities.  

AMCHAM CSR Excellence Recognition is awarded to AMCHAM member companies for their long-term efforts to support Thailand’s sustainable development.

Qualifying companies have CSR programs with measurable results that create both economic and social gains for a year or more, high levels of employee involvement, and strong strategic partnerships with Thai organizations.

The company mission must also align closely with the goals of their CSR activities.

Member companies are recognized with different tiers for consecutive years of achievement.

Silver level: 3 consecutive years, Gold level: 5 consecutive years, and Platinum level: 10 consecutive years.

This year twenty six AMCHAM members received awards for more than ten years of consecutive CSR Excellence. In addition, three member companies received special awards for their individual CSR projects:

•    Harmless Harvest won The Ambassador’s Award for Excellence in Thai-U.S. Partnership for their project, Coconuts Agriculture Project (ReCAP) which promotes regenerative agricultural practices among Nam Hom coconut farmers. Presented by U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec, this award recognizes a CSR project that supports innovation in the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economic Model through US-Thai partnership for transfer of technology or skills. 

•    WHA Industrial Development won the Thai Development Award for their project WeCYCLE, an upcycling project using water hyacinth fibre from Constructed Wetlands and recycled PET bottles. Presented by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa, this award honours a company that fosters sustainable development in alignment with the principles of the BCG Economic Model.

•    PCS Security and Facility Services won the Excellence in CSR Award for their project, Neighboring Country Colleagues Programme, for fostering and investing in a diverse and inclusive work culture. Presented by AMCHAM President Jeff Nygaard, this award is given to a company that nurtures an inclusive society by embracing diversity to reduce inequality (DE&I).

“CSR activities strengthen stakeholder engagement and support, whether they are shareholders, business partners, customers, employees, governments, or the broader community. Our best path for success is when community and industry work together,” said AMCHAM President Jeff Nygaard, Executive Vice President of Operations & Technology of Seagate Technology. “It’s appropriate we come together today, on the eve of Thanksgiving, to celebrate the CSR Excellence Awards and all the good work members are doing to help the broader community here in Thailand.”

Recognition List 

ACE Recognition 

1.    3M Thailand 
2.    Accenture Solutions 
3.    Agoda
4.    Amata Corporation
5.    Amazon Global Selling
6.    Asset World Corporation 
7.    BorgWarner PDS
8.    Chandler MHM 
9.    Dana Spicer  
10.    Danieli 
11.    Harmless Harvest
12.    HMC Polymers
13.    HP Inc
14.    Indorama Venture 
15.    INSEE Ecocycle 
16.    International School Bangkok
17.    Kudun and Partners
18.    Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
19.    Organon 
20.    Salary Hero
21.    Star Petroleum Refining Public Company
22.    Steps Community
23.    Thai Rayon 
24.    Thai Union Group
25. TPP Healthcare International 
 
ACE Silver 
 
1.    Aditya Birla Foundation for Community Initiatives
2.    Baker & McKenzie 
3.    Bayer Thai 
4.    Berli Jucker 
5.    Cardinal Health 222 
6.    Constant Energy Services 
7.    DKSH 
8.    Equator Pure Nature 
9.    Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
10.    International SOS Services 
11.    MSD
12.    PCS Security and Facility Services 
13.    Sanofi-Aventis 
14.    Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University
15.    Supara Group (GQ Brand) 
16.    Tilleke & Gibbins 
17.    TCC Technology
 
ACE Gold 
 
1.    Cargill
2.    Caterpillar 
3.    Colgate-Palmolive 
4.    Conrad Bangkok
5.    Diversey Hygiene 
6.    Herbalife International 
7.    IBM Thailand 
8.    Jeunesse Global 
9.    Johnson & Johnson 
10.    Laguna Resorts and Hotels 
11.    Magnolia Quality Development Corporation 
12.    Marriott Hotels Thailand-Luxury Hotels & Resorts/Marriot Thailand Business Council (2022)
13.    Mondelez International 
14.    Nu Skin Enterprises 
15.    Raja’s Fashions
16.    Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel
17.    Robere and Associates 
18.    Samitivej 
19.    Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok
20.    The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
21.    The St. Regis Bangkok
22.    Western Digital 

ACE Platinum 
 
1.    AIA Company Limited
2.    Amway 
3.    Baxter Healthcare 
4.    Bumrungrad Hospital 
5.    Central Food Retail 
6.    Chevron Thailand Exploration & Production
7.    Cisco Systems 
8.    Citibank, N.A.
9.    Diageo Moet Hennessy 
10.    Dow Thailand Group
11.    Esso (Thailand) 
12.    FedEx Express
13.    Ford Motor Company
14.    GlaxoSmithKline 
15.    Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
16.    Kenan Foundation Asia
17.    McThai 
18.    Minor International 
19.    Pfizer 
20.    Procter & Gamble Trading 
21.    Santa Fe 
22.    Seagate Technology 
23.    Standard Chartered Bank 
24.    The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
25.    WHA Industrial Development
26. YUM Restaurants International

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022349

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022

Opal Varunsuda

For Thailand’s growing e-commerce industry, the metaverse is a new chapter. In the 22nd episode of Business Story, Kulthirath Pakawachkrilers, president of the Thai E-Commerce Association, believes e-commerce in Thailand will grow five-fold in the next three years.

Kulthirath said that we can expect more challenges next year, as consumer behaviour will continue changing, data security threats will keep rising and boundaries between physical and digital shopping will continue to blur.

Kulthirath Pakawachkrilers, president of the Thai E-Commerce Association,

“However, businesses that keep up with these trends will be able to seize opportunities to boost revenue and sales,” she added.

What is your working background?

I worked for and consulted with a lot of enterprises, such as Lazada, Big C Super Center, and Sephora Online. I have expertise in e-commerce, digital marketing, and IT. I am also president of the Thai E-Commerce Association.

What is your future direction?

I would like my company to help expand the business across the border to China and globally. We can see so many opportunities. We try to settle them legally in the countries where they would like to go. We will help and partner until the business reaches its goals.

Do you think Thailand can be the hub of technology in the future?

Yes, I still hope.

How does e-commerce integrate with the organization?

I believe that any business can go e-commerce and conduct online transactions.They either pay now or pay later.

Firstly, you have to make sure the platform application is totally ready. You cannot give the bud time. Secondly, you need to sell the products in the invisible store. You must ensure that your content, image, hashtag, and mechanism allow people to find your products.

Also, if the price is too high, it must be justified.Who will purchase them?You must have the promotion. You can’t be lazy with e-commerce by dedicating teams to it right away.

“How tall is the building, and how big is the e-commerce platform?” “You need to invest in people,” she said. 

Watch the full interview on the Business Story Programme on  at www.nationthailand.com.

Opal Varunsuda

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https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40022348

Gut unhappy? There’s now a probiotic designed specifically for Thais

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2022

Nongluck Ajanapanya

Winona Feminine, which specialises in feminine cleansing products, is collaborating with the leading pharmacy chain Bangkok Drugstore to expand the reach of its new Winona Probio supplement.

Nopparat Suksaranludee, the founder of Winona Feminine, told the press on Tuesday that the probiotic was the result of more than 20 years of research and had been bred especially to match the physical conditions of Thai women.

She added that Winona Probio had won a very positive response when it was launched in May via the Winona Feminine website, prompting her to start seeking distribution partners.

“Our partners need to be experts who know how to store the product properly and can explain the usage correctly. Winona Probio needs to be stored in cold temperatures to keep the bacteria alive,” Nopparat explained.

She said that though most Thai women are aware of the benefits of probiotics, such as better immunity and prevention of some vaginal infections, most probiotics sold locally are imported.

However, she said, upon meeting researchers from the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) as part of a Thailand Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences project, she learned of Thailand’s first probiotic strain – the Lactobacillus paracasei MSMC39-1.

She explained that this probiotic bacteria had been bred specifically to work effectively on Thai digestive systems, which makes it very effective with few side effects.

“We already have some cleansers that help provide immediate relief for feminine problems, but Winona Probio prevents these problems from occurring in the first place,” she said.

Probiotics are often described as “good” or “friendly” bacteria that help restore the natural balance in the digestive system when it has been disrupted by an illness or treatment.

She added that her company is working with Biotec to develop a second probiotic breed that can help reduce cholesterol, boost antioxidants and kickstart the metabolism.

“This should be released by the end of this year,” she said.

Winona Feminine was founded in September 2016 with the goal of producing and developing personal care and cosmetics products, with a special focus on feminine hygiene.

Though most of the company’s products are sold locally, it has started entering the export market.

Nopparat said she plans to start selling Winona Probio in Asean countries, namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei, in a year.

She said the export of Winona Probio will be limited to Southeast Asia because these countries share similar cuisines, weather and lifestyles.

However, she said, the cleansing products will be targeted at a wider market and sold in countries like China, South Africa, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Oman to name a few.

Nongluck Ajanapanya