corporate briefs

SRT agrees land deal with Central

The State of Railway of Thailand's board yesterday agreed to renew Central Group's Lat Phrao land lease for another 20 years for Bt21 billion.

     Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen said Central would pay Bt2.6 billion up front for the first four years' rent and in the next 16 years it would pay a total of Bt18.7 billion. SRT is also entitled to a 5-per-cent share of the tenant's revenue. The Cabinet's approval will be sought before the original contract expires in December. - The Nation

Siam Global House launches store

Siam Global House last weekend opened a Bt400-million construction-material store in Nakhon Pathom to serve more than 1 million residents in the central province.

CEO Vitoon Suriyavanakul said recently that the seventh branch in the modern-trade operator's network possesses huge potential due to continued economic expansion as well as its proximity to provinces in the West.

The first Siam Global House was launched in Roi Et in 1997, followed by Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chiang Mai, Rayong and Chon Buri. Stores are also eyed for Ayutthaya, Kalasin, Nakhon Sawan, Ratchaburi and other provinces. - The Nation

True Touch on target for revenue

True Touch expects 15-per-cent growth in its outsourcing contact centre service and is confident of achieving its 2008 revenue forecast of Bt350 million.

Suphavadee Trakulboon, general manager of the subsidiary of True Corp, said the market has grown steadily to over Bt1 billion and is expected to increase 10-15 per cent next year. - The Nation

Tests show ice cream is safe

Unilever Thai Trading yesterday reaffirmed the safety of the 2 per cent of its Wall's ice-cream products imported from China, namely Wall's Mini Popper and Wall's Moo Sandwich.

The claim follows the completion of melamine contamination tests by an independent accredited laboratory accepted by Thailand's Food and Drug Administration.

The other 98 per cent of Wall's ice-cream products sold in Thailand are manufactured locally and also represent no safety concern, the company said. - The Nation

CP-Meiji sure of milk quality

CP-Meiji guarantees consumer food safety by using 100-per-cent local raw milk without imported ingredients including melamine residue, managing director Paisan Chonbanyatcharoen said yesterday.

As the country's major manufacturer and distributor of drinking milk, all the company's dairy products including fresh milk, yoghurt, yoghurt drinks and others under the Meiji and Meiji-Pigen brands have used high-quality raw milk from local farmers, he said.

CP-Meiji powdered skimmed milk has had some components imported from New Zealand, which is far from those toxic chemicals found in Chinese powdered milk. In particular, the company's products have been certified by Chemical Laboratory (Singapore) as not containing melamine. - The Nation

WiMax project in Maha Sarakham

TOT and the National Telecommunications Commission yesterday jointly launched the WiMax long-distance mobile broadband technology project to promote Internet connectivity in 20 secondary schools of the northeastern province of Maha Sarakham.

TOT and NTC are contributing Bt40 million each to the three-year project. - The Nation

Aequa condo launched by Aquarius

Aquarius Estate is launching the Aequa, a luxury high-rise condominium project worth more than Bt1.3 billion, on a beautiful site in Bangkok.

Situated on a prime location - Sukhumvit 49, the centre of urban lifestyle and only 350 metres from the Thonglor Skytrain station - the 28-storey building combines only 153 units that introduce a different concept of residence development.

The project has received positive feedback, exceeding expectations with pre-launch revenue at over 60 per cent of the total mark.- The Nation

Condo fair set to net Bt1 billion

The Thai Condominium Association hopes for sales of Bt1 billion from up to 50,000 visitors to Thailand Condo Expo 2008.

The event opens on October 31 and runs until November 2 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.

Association president Atip Bichanond said yesterday that this year's edition would showcase 100 projects under the concept "Condo Save the World". - The Nation