#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Ratch Group unveils Bt11.3bn plan for 2nd half

CorporateAug 14. 2020

By The Nation

Power producer Ratch Group plans to invest Bt11.3 billion on new ventures in the second half of 2020. In the first six months the company has spent Bt3.7 billion of its Bt15-billion investment plan for 2020, explained Kijja Sripatthangkura, chief executive officer.

“The remaining Bt11.3 billion will be used to acquire new projects in the second half,” he said.

“The company’s financial status is still strong, enabling us to pursue future investment in order to meet Ratch Group’s targeted enterprise value of Bt200 billion by 2023,” he added.

Ratch said in the first half it expanded its capacity investment in four new power plant projects and the expansion of its existing power plant, increasing equity generation capacity by 242.62 megawatts to 8,177.68MW in total.

It also invested in infrastructure, injecting Bt280 million into Smart Infranet, a fibre optic network service provider in which it has a 51-per-cent stake, to be used for assets acquisition from ALT Telecom, which will become a foundation for revenue generation.

Kijja said that in the second half of the year, Ratch will begin to recognise revenues from three projects, including the expansion of NNEG Power Plant with 60MW generation capacity and 10 tonnes per hour of steam to industrial customers in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Nava Nakorn Industrial Promotion Zone, with nine industrial users entering the power purchase agreement.

The other two projects are the Australia 214-MW Yandin Wind Farm feeding Alinta Sales under a power purchase agreement, and Vietnam’s Thang Long Thermal Power Plant with investment through the An Binh Energy and Infrastructure Fund (ABEIF).

Ratch Group said it is also negotiating to jointly invest in on-hand overseas fossil fuel and renewable power projects, especially in Indonesia and Vietnam, with capacity prospects of 400MW to meet the company’s target this year of 537MW.

On the infrastructure side, the company is planning to build and expand its customer base in order to create income from telecoms joint ventures involving Smart Infranet Company Limited and Things on Net Co Ltd, thanks to growing prospects of the telecoms and digital technology business under “new normal” conditions following the Covid-19 crisis.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Asia Aviation suffers big loss in Q2 from Covid-19 travel restrictions

CorporateAug 14. 2020

By The Nation

Asia Aviation Plc (AAV), a major shareholder of Thai AirAsia Co Ltd (TAA), on Friday reported a net loss of Bt1.210.6 billion for the second quarter, from a total revenue of Bt2.221 billion.

The loss was predominantly due to travel restrictions, causing significantly reduced demand and the temporary hibernation of its fleet in light of the Covid-19 situation.

The chief executive officer of AAV and TAA, Santisuk Klongchaiya, said: “With the tourism industry in Thailand and globally significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in subdued demand and travel restrictions, TAA managed to maintain minimal operations during the quarter, especially on international routes. Total revenue for the quarter decreased by 78 per cent, mainly due to the reduction in the number of passengers carried which fell by 95 per cent year on year, to a total of 283,601 passengers, the company said.

During the quarter, the number of international visitors carried by the company plunged by almost 100 per cent compared to the same period last year, while the overall load factor in the said quarter decreased to 52 per cent.

“Total expenses decreased by 63 per cent versus the same period last year, attributable to lower fuel costs and non-fuel expenses. Fuel costs fell as a result of capacity cuts and lower fuel prices, while non-fuel expenses decreased as a result of cost saving initiatives and eliminating all non-essential spending.

“We flew at only 8 per cent capacity compared to Q219 due to necessary flight cancellations and restrictions on air travel. With the situation alleviating and domestic flights gradually resuming in May, we were able to offer a number of sale promotions such as Unlimited Pass, to stimulate air travel in the latter half of the year,” Santisuk said.

The company said it was focused on seizing opportunities where there is demand during the second half of the year, including an increase in its domestic routes along with the government economic stimulus package and the introduction of new routes such as Chiang Mai-Hua Hin and Udon Thani-Hua Hin. It would also leverage on Bangkok’s additional hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport to work in conjunction with Don Mueang International Airport.

TAA expects to resume its international flight operations through travel bubble schemes with certain target markets, primarily Indo-China, China and other countries who have effectively contained the outbreak, the company said.

TAA said it welcomed the latest move by the Office of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to ease restrictions on inflight services beginning with the sale of merchandise from early August which it expects to be followed with food and beverage services soon. These would further stimulate TAA’s performance in the second half of 2020, the company said.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

B Grimm bucks the trend with Q2 profit surging 62.5 per cent over 2019

CorporateAug 14. 2020Preeyanart Soontornwata 

By THE NATION

B Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM) reported a robust 62.5 per cent increase in second-quarter net profit year on year despite the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The SET-listed private power producer posted Bt1.017 billion in net profit for April-June, fuelled by the continuous expansion of its production capacity and an increase in industrial customers, said Preeyanart Soontornwata, chief executive officer of BGRIM.

The net profit attributable to the parent company is Bt1.017 billion, increasing 62.5 per cent over the same period last year, while the normalised net profit amounted to Bt1.102 billion with Bt674 million being attributable to the parent firm, a 17.2 per cent growth from the same period last year.

BGRIM’s board of directors has approved an interim dividend of 0.15 baht per share for the first half of the year.

Preeyanart said BGRIM’s financial position has remained strong as the company has since last year commenced four new power plants and two SPP co-generation acquired through acquisitions to its total installed generation portfolio which grew to 3,019MW in the mid-2020.

The two co-generation projects acquired are the B Grimm Power (AIE-MTP), formerly known as SPP 1, and Ang Thong Power Project.

BGRIM has also seen an increase in power purchase from its new industrial clients, who committed to 25MW supplies last year and another 15MW in the first half of this year.

Meanwhile, the continued improvement of power plant efficiency has contributed to BGRIM’s bottom line.

The second half of 2020 will see new industrial customers gradually connecting their systems with BGRIM’s grids, she said.

The power purchase from existing industrial clients is expected to ramp up in the period as reflected by the 17 per cent rise in their electricity consumption in July this year as compared to the monthly average level recorded in the second quarter of this year, she added.

Construction of BGRIM power projects has forged ahead with a 39MW Ray Power solar project in Cambodia and the Bo Thong Wind Farm 1 & 2 with an installed capacity of 16MW, are due for commercial operation between the fourth quarter of this year and first quarter of 2021, Priyanart said.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

CPF net profit soars amid surge in demand for pork

CorporateAug 14. 2020

By THE NATION

Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) reported a sharp 45 per cent jump in net profit in the first half of 2020 compared to 2019 due to the rising demand for pork amid African Swine Fever (ASF) and the company’s growing aquatic business.

The company’s net profit totalled Bt12.13 billion.

“In the first six months of 2020, CPF has generated Bt281.9 billion revenue from sales, which is 9 per cent higher from the same period last year,” CPF chief executive officer Prasit Boondoungprasert said. “Sales revenue from exports to 16 countries expanded 12 per cent year on year, while domestic sales grew 2 per cent. International sales are responsible for 69 per cent of the company’s total revenue while 31 per cent are from domestic market.”

Prasit explained that the improved revenue is the result of growing foreign businesses that the company has invested in over the past 10 years, as well as other factors.

“The ASF outbreak which has resulted in shortage of pork in Asian markets is also a factor that spurred consumers’ demand for safe food, boosting the company’s sales,” he added. “The economic contraction due to the Covid-19 outbreak has slightly affected the company’s business, as CPF’s products are items necessary for daily life, while the company’s aquatic business in Thailand is also growing rapidly.

“Furthermore, the company has adapted new technology in manufacturing as well as sales strategy to suit the changing markets. We expect to make a record profit this year,” he added.

The company’s board meeting on August 13 agreed to pay interim dividend for the first six months of 2020 at Bt0.40 per share. The list of eligible shareholders will be announced on August 31 while the payment will be made on September 11.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Cabinet gives greenlight to BMTA loan again

CorporateAug 14. 2020

By The Nation

The Cabinet has accepted the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)’s proposal to borrow Bt7.89 billion in a bid to boost its liquidity as it expects to lose Bt33 billion in operations next year.

Deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Thursday (August 13) that the BMTA loan will be guaranteed by the Finance Ministry.

According to the BMTA, its revenue and expenditure for 2021 are expected to stand at Bt9.58 billion and Bt42.67 billion respectively, creating a Bt33.09 billion contraction in revenue.

“Hence, the BMTA needs to borrow Bt7.89 billion to use as circulating capital and boost liquidity on operating public transport service,” she said.

“Of the loan, Bt3.22 billion will cover fuel costs, Bt1.64 billion will cover repairs and Bt3.03 billion will be used to boost liquidity.”

She went on to say that since 2017, the Cabinet has approved loans worth nearly Bt70 billion for the BMTA as follows:

August 8, 2017: Bt2.83 billion to pay for fuel and to repair air-conditioned public transport vehicles during the 2018 fiscal year.

September 19, 2017: Bt26.78 billion for the restructuring of debt that matured in 2018 fiscal year.

February 6, 2018: Bt2.96 billion loan to repay debt that matured on March 1, 2018, and Bt2.01 billion to boost liquidity in 2018 fiscal year.

August 7, 2018: Bt15.37 billion for debt restructuring in 2019 fiscal year.

October 16, 2018: Bt9.22 billion to boost liquidity in 2019 fiscal year.

June 4, 2019: Bt11.32 billion to boost liquidity in 2020 fiscal year.

According to the Transport Ministry’s report released on November 30 last year, the BMTA had liabilities totalling Bt122.1 billion, mainly because the agency collects fare that is far lower than the actual cost, and cannot adjust it in line with the current situation.

Of its total liabilities, Bt57.67 billion is debt from government bonds with interest, Bt56.32 billion from long-term loans, Bt113 million from fuel cost, Bt252 million from repair cost, Bt1.56 billion from employee benefit obligation, Bt4.36 billion from employee pension fund and Bt1.82 billion from other liabilities.

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry and Budget Bureau have advised the Transport Ministry and BMTA to come up with a rehabilitation plan, especially guidelines to boost revenue, reduce expenses and solutions to ease the debt problem as soon as possible and relieve the government’s burden.