Central Pattana, a developer of shopping centres, plans to increase its CPN Retail Growth Fund by Bt5 billion-Bt6 billion soon. The fund is under TMB Asset Management.

One Asset Management and Kasikorn Asset Management also intend to introduce property funds this year.

SCB Securities and UBS Warburg are expected to be selected as financial advisers and joint lead managers for the soon-to-be set up Bt10-billion property fund of Quality Houses Plc.

Quality Houses' property fund would be sold

to both local and foreign investors, the source

said.

An analyst at SCB Securities said the timing was right to launch property funds now as domestic interest rates have about peaked.

Property funds are expected to receive a warm welcome from investors, the analyst said.

Siriporn Chanjindamanee

 The Nation