Thailand: Bangchak Considers International Expansion

Bangchak Petroleum Plc (BCP) is considering plans  to develop international fuel markets by investing  25 billion baht over the next five years .

President Anusorn Saengnimnuan said the plan was aimedat increasing earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation(EBITDA) to 10 billion baht by 2015 from 5-6 billion now, with earnings pershare rising to four baht from below three baht. "We are planning todevelop fuel service stations in Laos, Burma and Cambodia starting with onesite next year," Dr Anusorn said.

Bangchak currently exports a minimal amount of fuel toBurma, and dealers have shown interest to develop the brand . The refiner hasalso been shipping lubricants to China and Fiji and the amount has grownsubstantially. It has considered exporting to Australia and New Zealand.

Bangchak will introduce  Euro4 fuels in November and all products will be availablein early 2012. "We are in talks with the government about thisissue," he said, noting that the subsidy might be increased if thegovernment wants to continue capping diesel prices at 30 baht a litre. Atpresent, Bangchak operates 1,050 fuel service  stations in Thailand.

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