Thai conglomerate bullish on RP

MANILA, Philippines - SCG, one of ASEAN’s leading business conglomerates, has strong confidence in the people and economy of the Philippines, said Surasak Kraiwitchaicharoen, president of Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc.

SCG operates four companies in the Philippines including Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc., CPAC Monier Philippines Inc., and Cementhai SCT (Philippines) Inc.

Surasak recently participated in the panel discussion on “Business Relationship: Opportunities and Challenges” during “Thailand and The Philippines: Ties Beyond Times” international seminar at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Thailand-Philippines diplomatic relations.

He said the Philippines offers many business opportunities as it has the same economic and political status as Thailand and it is strategically located where Asian and Western cultures meet. He also noted the beneficial factors from the country‘s large consumption volume, friendly business policy toward foreign investors, and skilled English-speaking workers.

As one of its business philosophies, SCG has organized many corporate social responsibility activities in the Philippines, chief among them is the “SCG Sharing the Dream” scholarship program which started in 2008.

This year, the “SCG Sharing the Dream” scholarship program has awarded scholarships to 100 third year public high school students in Bulacan and Batangas for school year 2009-2010. SCG operates two plants in these provinces — UPPC’s plant in Calumpit, Bulacan and Mariwasa’s plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

SCG also offers scholarships for its local employees to study for a Master’s degree in the US in order to bring back knowledge to develop the Philippines in the future.

Surasak said SCG will continue to develop itself toward sustainable development according to the SCG vision. “By 2015, we see SCG as a regional market leader, contributing to the sustainable progress of ASEAN and the local communities where it operates.”

Established in 1913, SCG is an ASEAN leading conglomerate. The group has diversified into five core businesses focusing on chemicals, paper, cement, building materials, and distribution, generating $8.4 billion annual turnover.

Currently, the group has approximately 27,000 employees and handles more than 64,000 products distributed both domestically and globally.

SCG operates four key companies in the Philippines, including United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc. (UPPC), Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., CPAC Monier Philippines Inc., and Cementhai SCT (Philippines) Inc.