MQDC Secures Financing from Bangkok Bank for Asia’s Largest Creator Hub, Cloud 11
MQDC 獲得曼谷銀行融資，打造亞洲最大創作者中心 Cloud 11
Bangkok Bank has extended long-term project financing to MQDC for the completion of Cloud 11, set to be Asia’s largest creator hub. Located between Punnawithi and Udomsuk BTS stations on Sukhumvit Road, the 254,000-square-meter mixed-use development is designed to foster a creative ecosystem, offering world-class studio spaces, a digital art museum, concert and e-sports venues, and a host of academic institutes. The project is currently over 70% complete and is expected to open in 2025.
Cloud 11 will also feature a creative retail space with over 250 outlets, a Grade A+ workspace called Creator Village, and major tenants like COMMONS. It will house a 5-star lifestyle hotel under Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio brand and YOTEL Bangkok, catering to creators and new-generation travelers. Designed by Norwegian studio Snøhetta and Thai firm A49, Cloud 11 is a key part of South Sukhumvit’s innovation cluster and has already won multiple prestigious design awards.
編者按： 曼谷銀行已向 MQDC 提供長期專案融資，用於完工亞洲最大的創作者中心「Cloud 11」。這個位於素坤逸路、佔地 25.4 萬平方公尺的綜合用途開發案，旨在打造創意的生態系，提供世界級的工作室空間、數位藝術博物館、音樂會與電子競技場館，預計將於 2024 年底完工並成為區域創作者經濟的關鍵樞紐。
AI-Powered HR Innovation Drives Transformation at Siam Commercial Bank
AI 驅動的 HR 創新推動泰國匯商銀行（SCB）轉型
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is embracing digital transformation through its collaboration with Workday, leveraging AI-powered solutions to enhance workforce management and operational efficiency. As part of SCB’s “Digital Bank with a Human Touch” strategy, the bank is implementing advanced cloud technologies to meet the growing demand for digital convenience. Chief People Officer K. Worawat Suvagondha highlighted SCB’s transformation journey, noting how the bank has digitised operations and adopted innovative tools to create a personalised work environment that values employee growth and well-being.
Workday’s AI-driven platform plays a crucial role in SCB’s efforts, integrating talent management, recruitment, and employee engagement solutions. SCB has embraced Workday Talent Optimisation, Recruiting, and Skills Cloud to foster a supportive, well-managed workforce. In addition to career development initiatives, SCB promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being through various programs, flexible work arrangements, and recognition systems. This partnership positions SCB at the forefront of Thailand’s banking industry, leading the way in HR innovation and digital transformation.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2879018/the-ai-advantage-hr-innovation-in-thailand
編者按： 泰國匯商銀行（SCB）正利用 AI 驅動的解決方案進行人力資源轉型，以提升員工敬業度並優化人才管理。透過整合 AI 技術，該銀行旨在實現招聘自動化、提供個人化的職業發展路徑，並改善決策流程，反映出金融業利用數位創新來維持競爭力並適應快速變遷的勞動力市場趨勢。
GenAI Adoption Tops Business Priorities for Thai Executives, Salesforce Study Finds
Salesforce 研究顯示：生成式 AI 採用成為泰國高階主管的業務首選
A recent study commissioned by Salesforce reveals that generative AI (GenAI) adoption is a top business priority for 84% of corporate executives in Thailand. Despite economic volatility, executives are optimistic about integrating GenAI into their operations, driven by national investments in AI infrastructure and growing demand for digital transformation. According to Salesforce Asean Vice-President Siddharth Rastogi, Thailand is well-positioned to push AI adoption, with many leaders expressing confidence in delegating tasks to AI systems autonomously within the next three years.
The survey, which included 225 Thai business leaders, also highlighted key motivations for GenAI adoption, including the need for faster and more personalized customer experiences and employee demand for innovative AI tools. However, 96% of respondents acknowledged barriers to implementation, citing concerns about AI accuracy, skill gaps, data privacy, and the use of incomplete data to train models. Thitirat Tongtavorn, Salesforce Thailand’s country leader, noted that while 58% of organizations have a clear GenAI strategy, others are still working to develop one.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2883742/genai-adoption-a-priority-for-local-executives
編者按： 根據 Salesforce 的最新研究，生成式 AI（GenAI）的採用已成為泰國企業高階主管的首要任務，許多人認為這對維持競爭優勢至關重要。調查顯示，儘管存在數據隱私與治理方面的擔憂，但企業領袖正積極投資於 AI 技術以提升營運效率與客戶體驗，這突顯了泰國商業環境中數位轉型的快速步伐。
Thailand’s PCB Industry Sees Strong Growth, Driven by EV Demand and Global Investment
受電動車需求與全球投資帶動，泰國 PCB 產業增長強勁
Thailand’s printed circuit board (PCB) industry is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The country’s strategic location, low labor costs, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure make it an attractive hub for PCB manufacturing, with global investments surging. In 2023, the number of PCB projects in Thailand jumped to 45, valued at 92.2 billion baht, a 323% increase from the previous year. The industry’s expansion aligns with the global PCB market, which is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.8% from 2024 to 2033.
Asia-Pacific dominates global PCB manufacturing, accounting for 90% of production, with Thailand emerging as a key player. In 2023, Thailand’s PCB exports reached $9.7 billion, up 4.3%, with Hong Kong as the top export market. Thailand’s PCB production currently represents 3.8% of global output, expected to rise to 4.7% by 2025, bolstered by investment from global manufacturers. TPSO emphasized the need for Thai manufacturers to comply with environmental regulations to secure their position in global supply chains and capitalize on the industry’s rapid growth.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2883737/rosy-outlook-for-printed-circuit-boards
編者按： 泰國的印刷電路板（PCB）產業正經歷強勁增長，主因是全球對電動車（EV）的需求增加以及製造業基地從中國轉移的趨勢。在政府激勵措施與成熟電子供應鏈的支持下，泰國正鞏固其作為區域 PCB 製造中心的地位，吸引了大量的國內外投資以滿足汽車與科技領域日益增長的需求。
Egco Expands Renewable Energy Portfolio with Apex Purchase to Boost Capacity by 2030
Egco 併購 Apex 以擴大再生能源組合，目標 2030 年提升產能
Electricity Generating Plc (Egco) aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 30% of its total power generation by 2030, following the acquisition of additional shares in US-based Apex Clean Energy Holdings. Currently, renewable energy accounts for 21% of Egco’s nearly 7 gigawatts of global power generation. With the Apex investment, Egco President Jiraporn Sirikum expects the company to rapidly boost its clean energy capacity, aligning with its “cleaner, smarter, and stronger” strategy for sustainable growth. Apex’s 211 renewable projects, primarily wind and solar farms, are expected to play a key role in this expansion.
Apex operates under a hybrid business model, both increasing its power generation capacity and selling fully developed projects to investors. The company, which has sold five projects totaling nearly 600MW, currently has 56,400MW of renewable projects in development, including wind, solar, hydrogen, and energy storage systems. This model allows Apex to earn long-term revenue through power purchase agreements while generating lump-sum earnings from project sales, enhancing both Egco’s renewable portfolio and financial performance.
編者按： 泰國電力公司 Egco 透過收購美國再生能源開發商 Apex Clean Energy 的股份，擴大了其綠色能源投資組合。此項戰略舉措旨在顯著提升 Egco 的再生能源產能，符合該公司到 2030 年降低碳足跡並轉向清潔能源轉型的承諾，同時增強其在快速發展的全球能源市場中的競爭力。
Thailand’s Renewables Scheme to Boost Investments and Power Generation
泰國再生能源計畫將提振投資與發電量
The long-delayed second phase of Thailand’s renewable energy scheme is set to launch this month, offering a new auction for 3,668.5 megawatts of renewable energy projects. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) expects the program to generate 300 billion baht in investment by 2025, supporting solar, wind, and biogas projects. Companies like Gunkul Engineering are preparing proposals, while major players from the first phase, including Gulf Energy Development and Absolute Clean Energy, continue expanding their clean energy portfolios.
The scheme is expected to benefit not only power plant developers but also related industries, such as electrical wire and cable manufacturers. Bangkok Cable Co. anticipates increased demand for its products as renewable energy consumption rises. The company expects a 30% growth in domestic demand for wires by 2037, aligning with Thailand’s goal of achieving 51% renewable energy usage by the same year as part of its plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2882487/windfall-from-renewables-scheme
編者按： 泰國政府新推出的再生能源計畫預計將吸引大量投資進入能源領域，並顯著提升國家的綠色電力產出。該計畫包括針對太陽能、風能與生物質能項目的激勵措施，不僅支持泰國達成碳中和的環境目標，也確保了國家在推動永續發展時的長期能源安全與穩定。
CPN Issues B8bn Sustainability-Linked Bonds to Support Green Projects
尚泰購物中心（CPN）發行 80 億泰銖永續發展連結債券以支持綠色項目
Central Pattana (CPN) has issued 8 billion baht worth of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) to fund clean energy and sustainability projects, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The funds will be used for renewable energy, sustainable water management, and energy efficiency improvements, supporting CPN’s mixed-use developments and green building initiatives across Thailand and abroad.
Partnering with UOB, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), CPN’s bond issuance is a milestone for Thailand’s real estate and retail sectors. Naparat Sriwanvit, CPN’s CFO, said the company is committed to creating spaces that benefit people and the environment, aligning with the UN’s sustainable development goals. The SLBs are offered with five- and seven-year maturities, with interest rates of 2.86% and 3.14% respectively, under the company’s sustainability-linked finance framework.
編者按： 泰國零售巨頭尚泰購物中心（CPN）成功發行了價值 80 億泰銖的永續發展連結債券，所得資金將用於資助各種環保與綠色項目。此次發行反映了 CPN 對永續商業實踐的承諾，包括提高能源效率與減少碳排放，並展示了泰國企業界日益利用永續金融工具來達成環境目標。
Foreign Circuit Board Makers Invest THB 162 Billion in Thailand, Seek BOI Incentives
外資電路板廠商在泰投資 1,620 億泰銖，尋求投資委員會（BOI）獎勵
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) revealed that foreign printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers have invested 162 billion baht in the country over the past year, with 95 projects applying for BOI privileges. Most investors are from China and Taiwan, including companies like Unimicron, Compeq, and Dynamic Electronics. Well Tek Electronics, a subsidiary of China-based Welgao Electronics, recently began operating its 64,000-square-metre factory, producing high-density interconnected (HDI) PCBs used in data servers and electric vehicle power supplies.
Well Tek’s factory, which employs 500 Thai personnel, integrates advanced technology and AI throughout its manufacturing processes. The company plans to build a second, larger facility and establish a research centre employing 40 Thai researchers. The factory’s products, 40% of which are sold locally, reflect confidence in Thailand’s infrastructure and workforce, according to BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi.
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/investment/40042404
編者按： 外國電路板製造商已在泰國投入總計 1,620 億泰銖，並積極尋求投資委員會（BOI）的稅務與非稅務激勵措施。這股投資潮凸顯了泰國作為全球電子供應鏈重要地位，特別是在企業尋求多元化生產路徑以降低地緣政治風險的背景下。
FDI Giants See Surging Revenues in Vietnam Amid Expanding Operations
隨著業務擴張，外資巨頭在越南營收激增
Several foreign direct investment (FDI) giants, including AEON Mall, Samsung, and Taiwan’s Formosa Group, have reported significant revenue and profit growth in Vietnam. AEON Mall Vietnam’s semi-annual report showed a 14.5% rise in revenue to $54.79 million and a 21.2% increase in profit to $16.1 million, outpacing its home market in Japan. Samsung Vietnam also reported strong results, with its Thai Nguyen facility generating $13.8 billion in revenue and $1.1 billion in profits, making it the company’s second-largest global revenue contributor.
However, not all FDI ventures fared well. Taiwan’s Formosa Ha Tinh steel operations faced a 3.2% drop in revenue to $3.9 billion, alongside a $610 million loss, driven by reduced demand for steel amid China’s real estate market slump. Despite mixed results across industries, Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign capital, driven by its strong economic growth, which reached 7.4% in Q3 2024, surpassing expectations.
編者按： 隨著外資企業在越南持續擴大營運規模，包括電子、紡織與科技領域的國際巨頭皆報告了營收顯著增長。越南穩定的宏觀經濟環境與各類自由貿易協定提供的優勢，使其成為跨國企業追求成長與獲利的熱點，進一步推動了越南在 2024 年強勁的經濟表現。
PM Pham Minh Chinh Urges Global Investors to Increase Investments in Vietnam at ASEAN BIS 2024
范明正總理於 2024 年東協商務與投資峰會呼籲全球投資者加大對越投資
At the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2024 (ASEAN BIS 2024) in Vientiane, Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on international investors to enhance their investments in Vietnam, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for foreign enterprises. Speaking to over 800 business leaders, PM Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s economic stability, noting a GDP of $430 billion in 2023 and a 6.82% growth rate in the first nine months of 2024, alongside an 11.6% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) year-on-year. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s dedication to enhancing its investment climate and prioritizing sectors such as AI, information technology, and semiconductor manufacturing.
The Prime Minister addressed the broader global context, acknowledging the challenges posed by geopolitical competition and climate change. He urged ASEAN businesses to promote economic connectivity and innovation while reinforcing the region’s self-reliance. Chinh reiterated that collaborative efforts are essential for addressing global issues, advocating for multilateralism among nations and businesses alike. His remarks set a tone of optimism for the future of Vietnam as a key player in the ASEAN Economic Community, dedicated to sustainable growth and cooperation.
編者按： 越南總理范明正在 2024 年東協商務與投資峰會（ASEAN BIS）上，向全球投資者展示了越南在數位經濟與綠色轉型方面的潛力，並呼籲各界加大對越投資。他強調政府將持續改善經商環境、完善法規框架並支持創新，確保外資企業在越南能實現長期且永續的發展。
European Countries Express Interest in Renewable Energy Investments in East Kalimantan
歐洲國家對印尼東加里曼丹省的再生能源投資表示興趣
East Kalimantan’s Acting Governor, Akmal Malik, announced that several European countries are keen to invest in renewable energy, specifically solar power, in the region. During a recent meeting with ambassadors from nations including Norway, Germany, and Sweden at a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) event in Jakarta, Malik emphasized the significant potential for solar energy development in areas such as Kutai Kartanegara, Samarinda, Paser, and West Kutai. He noted that the region, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, is gradually transitioning towards renewable energy, with some mining companies already integrating these solutions into their operations.
Malik underscored East Kalimantan’s crucial role in supporting the development of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara (IKN), and called for diversified partnerships with nations committed to green energy. The discussions also highlighted the importance of decentralization in Indonesia, which would enable regions to better prepare their economies, create jobs, and enhance infrastructure, particularly in East Kalimantan as it positions itself as a key player in renewable energy and sustainable development.
編者按： 包括荷蘭與德國在內的多個歐洲國家，對在印尼東加里曼丹省（新首都所在地）進行再生能源投資表達了強烈興趣。投資重點涵蓋太陽能、風能以及與智慧城市基礎設施相關的清潔能源方案，反映出國際社會對印尼能源轉型願景的支持及對該區域經濟成長潛力的認可。
Kasikornbank Aims for THB 200 Billion in Green Financing by 2030
開泰銀行（KBank）目標在 2030 年前提供 2,000 億泰銖綠色融資
Kasikornbank (KBank), one of Thailand’s leading financial institutions, has announced an ambitious target to provide THB 200 billion (approximately Rp 92 trillion) in green financing by 2030, positioning climate action as a viable business opportunity. KBank President Pipit Aneaknithi highlighted the bank’s commitment to sustainable finance, noting that it provided THB 26.4 billion in 2022 and THB 73.4 billion in 2023, with a target of reaching THB 100 billion (Rp 46 trillion) in 2024. To support this transition, KBank has launched various products aimed at facilitating sustainable financing and is investing in startups focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives through its subsidiary, Beacon Venture Capital.
While KBank is actively expanding its green financing initiatives, Pipit acknowledged that its subsidiary, Indonesia’s Bank Maspion, has yet to enter the green financing sector. The bank intends to study Indonesia’s carbon trading regulations and green financing landscape before proceeding. “We want to be cautious and avoid being seen as engaging in greenwashing,” Pipit stated, emphasizing the bank’s dedication to authentic sustainability efforts as it develops a blockchain-based carbon trading ecosystem to enhance its green financing reach.
編者按： 開泰銀行（KBank）設定了在 2030 年前提供 2,000 億泰銖綠色融資的宏偉目標，將氣候行動視為重要的商業機會，並計畫在 2024 年達成 1,000 億泰銖的階段性目標。執行長 Pipit Aneaknithi 強調了銀行對永續金融的承諾，除了推出各類綠色金融產品外，也透過子公司投資 ESG 新創公司，同時對印尼子行進入當地碳市場保持審慎且透明的態度，以確保實質的永續成效。