The group yesterday signed an agreement with Myanmar’s Aung Shwe Three International (AST) Group for joint development of a 150-bed hospital in Yangon at a cost of 1 billion baht. THG owns 51% of the project, with the rest belonging to the Myanmar partner.
The alliance plans to develop two more hospitals, one in Mandalay and the other in Hlaing Thar Yar Industrial Zone near Yangon. More clinics will be built across Myanmar to cash in on the booming economy and investments bound for Myanmar, Mr Boon said.
“With average GDP growth of 6-7%, exceeding that of Thailand, I think opportunity in Myanmar is greater than in other Asean members,” he said.
Mr Boon said the first hospital, to be located in central Yangon, was projected to begin construction in December and take 18 months to complete. The German government-owned development bank KfW has agreed to provide 60% of project financing for the project cost, with the other 40% equity.
The two partners have also agreed to study a much bigger second hospital in Mandalay covering a total area of 50 rai. The third one will be in an industrial estate in Htantabin, which is 10 kilometres from Yangon, said AST managing director Aung Kyi Soe.
He said the Myanmar group currently operated a 50-bed hospital in Yangon, with other businesses including real estate, construction and trading.
Mr Boon said THG targets opening 10 clinics this year — five in Yangon, three in Mandalay and two in other areas — to accommodate up to 500 outpatients. Within five years, 30-40 clinics will be open nationwide.
At present, THG operates 20 hospitals in Thailand including 17 in Bangkok. It has three more in China.
source: Bangkok Post
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