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Despite political turmoil and a worldwide financial crisis, Centara Hotels & Resorts will open at least six properties within the next few years, said president Gerd Steeb.

Centara's financials will remain strong through the first quarter of 2009, he said, adding that he is unsure of how the company will fare in the second and third quarters of next year.

Steeb said he expects the business climate to improve by the end of 2009.

If problems continue beyond that time frame, Centara may be forced to alter its plans.

For now, the company is moving forward with its expansion. Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, in the Maldives, is the company's first international hotel and is scheduled to open in June 2009.

Sometime next year, the company will also open a 170-room hotel in the Sukhumvit area and the Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Konkaen, a 202-room hotel and adjacent 3,600-square-metre convention centre. In 2010, Centara Grand Silapura Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin will open.

Centara also has plans to build mixed-use hotel and condominium complexes. The 162-unit Centara Laan Dara in Kho Samui is currently under construction.

The company hired Colliers International, a real-estate firm, to sell the property's residential units. Centara has also begun designing the Centara Resort Pranburi. It will have 100 hotel rooms and 70 condos.

Centara is considering additional international expansion in the United Arab Emirates, India and in neighbouring countries, Steeb said.

The company currently has 18 properties.