Central Pattana is preparing to invest Bt9.8 billion on one or two overseas retail projects in 2014 if its expansion into China and India bears fruit.
A joint-venture agreement in China is expected to be signed this year, while the shopping-mall developer is studying the feasibility of entering India, CPN senior executive vice president Naris Cheyklin said yesterday.
Overseas investment must be pursued given the saturation in the domestic retail industry, he said.
The company has set a target to generate 10 per cent of total revenues from overseas by 2013.
The Chinese market is subject to fierce competition, but CPN's study confirmed that the company holds a competitive advantage - location. He is convinced that the operation there would be successful.
Naris said CPN's net profit in the second half would likely outpace the first half's Bt1.11 billion, as some sections of CentralWorld, which was partially destroyed by fire, could be reopened next month before the entire restoration is completed in November.
The company this year has committed Bt7.2 billion to investment, excluding the rebuilding of CentralWorld. Three projects in Chiang Rai and Phitsanulok and on Rama IX Road are under construction, with completion set for next year.