Briefs

BOT likely to raise GDP growth rate

The Bank of Thailand will likely raise its 2013 economic forecast from 4.9 per cent to at least 5 per cent at the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting on April 3, given better-than-expected expansion last year.

Thailand saw GDP rise 18.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year and 6.4 per cent for the whole year.

'7 years' of work

Ch Karnchang expects to win 20 per cent of the government's Bt2-trillion infrastructure investment programme. The resulting Bt400 billion worth of construction contracts would keep the company busy for seven years, said company director Prasert Marittanaporn.

The construction firm also expects the Cabinet's approval of a Bt2.5-billion rolling-stock contract for the Green Line extension to the BTS Skytrain system.

Ch Karnchang's backlog is now Bt130 billion. It expects to sign a Bt5-billion contract to build a small power plant late this year and will participate in bidding for work on the MRT's Purple Line and Dark Green Line.

Susco logo change

Susco has budgeted Bt500 million to renovate 200 former Petronas fuel stations and change their logos to Susco's, said managing director Chairit Simaroj.

Susco acquired the Thai assets of Petronas, Malaysia's national petroleum company, late last year, bringing the number of Susco stations to 235.

The acquisition is expected to help boost sales revenue this year to Bt28 billion from Bt17 billion last year.

Dual-track bid

The State Railway of Thailand plans to launch tendering for its dual-track project for six routes worth about Bt80 billion by September.

SRT governor Prapat Chongsanguan said the agency was in the process of gathering details on this project to invite bids via an electronic system. The construction period for the project would be about two to three years.

Mitr Phol bonds

Mitr Phol Sugar Corporation will issue up to Bt2.5 billion in senior debentures to repay debt and expand its sugar and sugar-cane businesses.

TRIS Rating has assigned a "A+" rating to the debentures in recognition of the company's leading market position in the regional sugar industry, well-accepted brand name, efficient sugar mill operations and diversification into related businesses. The ratings also take into consideration the company's exposure to the regulatory and operating risks of its overseas sugar operations, as well as the volatility of sugar prices and supply of sugar cane.