Briefs

After the merger, Muang Thai Life Assurance's direct auto premiums will account for 50 per cent, direct fire insurance for 30 per cent, accident insurance for 11 per cent, and miscellaneous and marine insurance for 9 per cent. Products are sold through financial institutions (28 per cent), sales representatives (37 per cent), alliances in the auto industry (16 per cent), direct marketing (14 per cent) and telemarketing (5 per cent). - The Nation

La Seda in share swap with Indorama

La Seda de Barcelona, a Spanish maker of plastics for drink containers, said any merger with Thailand's Indorama Ventures would be carried out through a share swap.

"It's expected it will be wholly a transaction of exchange of shares," the Barcelona-based company said today in a filing to regulators. La Seda said on July 24 it had held "preliminary" talks with Indorama. - Bloomberg

Kasikornbank, HomePro in instal

Kasikornbank has chosen HomePro as the first retailer to launch an instalment loan plan, with zero interest and up to tree-month instalments for all items and in all stores.

With a minimum purchase of Bt3,000 when charging purchases with a Kasikornbank credit card at all HomePro and HomePro Plus branches, customers can enjoy a zero-interest charge of up to three months until August 13. -The Nation

Movenpick ice cream to hit Thailand

Swiss ice-cream brand Movenpick will penetrate the Thai market, starting with distribution in five-star hotels and supermarkets to tap expatriates, foreign tourists and local high-income earners.

Movenpick (Switzerland), a unit of Nestle, will spend a budget of Bt95 million during 2009-2011. After the official launch, it expects sales revenue of Bt50 million in 2009. - The Nation

Nepal receives Bt4.8 billion in FDI

Nepal received its highest foreign direct investment (FDI) commitment of 9.81 billion rupees (Bt4.8 billion) in the last fiscal year, as a housing boom and newly explored hydro potential lured overseas investors.

"Last year saw a sound peace dividend in foreign direct investment. We were long due to receive such an encouraging response," said Tilak Ram Sharma, director-general of the Department of Industry.

Government statistics show that the department approved 212 foreign investment projects during the year, with the energy sector leading the list. The total project cost stood at 20.4 billion rupees and fixed cost at 16.89 billion rupees. - Kathmandu Post, Asia News Network

Rolls-Royce to support KMUT North

Roll-Royce Thailand and King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok announced recently that they had signed a primary agreement outlining their intention to work together on a range of initiatives.

The company has agreed to a sponsorship programme to support the university's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. It will provide support for a number of initiatives in the areas of gas turbo machinery and aerospace technologies. - The Nation