Briefs

Krung Thai to launch inflation-linked fund

Krung Thai Asset Management will kick-off the sale of its inflation-linked fund (KTILF) today until March 19 in a move to raise Bt2 billion.

The fund will invest in the government's inflation-linked bonds or other local and foreign inflation-linked securities.

CEO Somchai Boonnumsiri said the fund was suitable for investors who want to hedge risks against inflation. The fund company expects a headline inflation of 3 per cent this year, before rising in the following years according to public and private investment plans. Data also showed that Thailand faces medium to high inflation.

New U Hotel in Phuket

U Hotels and Resorts managed by Absolute Hotel Services is opening its latest hotel - U Sunsuri Phuket - on April 10. Joining its award-winning properties U Chiang Mai and U Inchantree Kanchanaburi, this latest addition is located in a secluded area of Nai Harn Beach set on a hillside with spectacular views of a lake, billowing trees and the ocean.

SET continues banker-to-broker scheme

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), together with eight banks and eight securities firms, launches the "Banker-to-Broker" campaign for a third consecutive year, to expand investment channels through 5,400 bank branches and the banks' brokerage subsidiaries nationwide.

Thanks to the continuous success from this campaign in the previous two years, SET expects to expand its investor base by 20,000 accounts by the end of this year.

"The campaign underlines SET's 2013 strategy to expand the retail investor base and boost trading channels. The programme aims to promote alternative investment opportunities for new investors, especially those who are regular bank savers, and help strengthen the Thai stock market to compete at an international level amidst volatile economic situations," SET President Charamporn Jotikasthira said.

The campaign was kicked off in 2011. By the end of 2013, the investor base is expected to expand by 20,000 accounts through the participating 5,400 bank branches nationwide.