It will use its MCOT Plc stock as loan collateral, according to a source from the ministry.

Details will be announced at noon on Monday.

The Finance Ministry holds a majority stake in TMB Bank, which plans to increase its capital via a rights issue soon.

Pension fund

The Government Pension Fund expects to finalise the selection of new external fund managers at the end of this month.

Fund secretary-general Wisit Tantisunthorn said asset-management companies, banks and securities companies which had personal-fund and provident-fund management licences had been invited to join the race.

Taiwan money

The Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association is keen to expand investment by Taiwanese manufacturers in Thailand, according to Board of Investment secretary-general Satit Chanjavanakul.

Association vice president and president of Winbond Electronics Corp Yu Cheng Chiao said Taiwanese investors wanted to increase their exposure in Thailand as a hedge against their investment in China.

Satit said Thailand was well known for its electronics manufacturing and the industry had seen investment of Bt25 billion in the first quarter in the year.

Taiwan is the third biggest investor in the Thai electronics industry, after Japan and Singapore.

Egat inks MoU

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co for technical collaboration in exploring energy sources in Thailand and neighbouring countries.

Under the collaboration, the businesses will conduct a one-year feasibility study of hydropower development in Laos and Burma as part of the state enterprise's plan to procure low-cost energy. 

CAT gets advice

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry yesterday told the new board of CAT Telecom Plc to focus on creating new value-added businesses and improving staff efficiency in order to cope with intensifying competition.