Apichai Bootherawara, right, president-designate of Export-Import Bank of Thailand, is congratulated yesterday by Virabongsa Ramangkura, left, chairman of Exim Thailand, and Narongchai Akrasanee, the bank’s executive chairman and acting president.

"After we make loans to our customers we may turn our portfolio into securities and then sell them to investors," Apichai Bootherawara, the incoming president of the bank, told the press yesterday.

Apichai signed a four-year employment contract with Virabongsa Ramangkura, chairman of the Exim Bank. He will start work on July 1.

Apichai has extensive experience in banking and is qualified for the job, Virabongsa said.

Apichai was head of investment banking at Nava Vickers Ballas Securities, now named DBS Vickers Securities (Thailand), and SCF Finance and Securities in Bangkok.

He was also the first local general manager of Rabobank's representative office here.

Apichai said he learned about financing agri-businesses, such as sugar and other processed

foods, while at Rabobank

and could apply that knowledge

in his new assignment.

He said Exim Bank under his leadership would be proactive in assisting the export sector. Support for Asian bond development would also take high priority.

Virabongsa said the bank would help investors set up

operations in neighbouring countries, particularly in contract farming.

Wichit Chaitrong

The Nation