Thailand: PTT earmarks 3% of net annual profit for R&D

Thailand: PTT earmarks 3% of net annual profit for R&D

PTT is setting aside 3 per cent of its net profit each year for research and
development to promote the company as an innovative firm in the region, said
Tevin Vongvanich, president and chief executive officer.

"All research and development has to take a long time before resulting in
commercial products that meet our customers' demand," he said. "However,
once they are commercialised, they generate high returns for our business."

The group has concentrated on investing in R&D of innovative products to
serve customer demand.

The company's research focuses on products related to the petrochemical
industry.

The R&D budget supports both PTT's own research and also capitalising on
research by others, by developing it into commercial products.

The total budget including R&D for 2016-20 remains at Bt300 billion for the
company and its subsidiaries. "We will revise our investment budget every
year. It may be changed for 2017-21. That has to wait for approval by the
company's board at the end of this year before releasing a new investment
plan."

PTT Group led by PTT Exploration and Production will host the 10th
"International Petroleum Technology Conference" under the theme "Innovation
and Efficiency Excellence for Our Energy Future" from November |14-16 at the
Bangkok Convention Centre, part of CentaraGrand @Central World Bangkok.

At the event, PTT will showcase its innovative exploration, while up to 80
other oil and petrochemical firms - such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Halliburton,
Baker Hughes, Petronas and Weatherford - will also display their innovations
and technology.

"We target up to 4,000 visitors at this event. We also will discuss and
exchange our knowledge and innovative technology with other petrochemical
firms.
"This is a challenge for us and other petrochemical firms to learn about
innovation and technology for the future," Tevin said.

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Ref: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/business/corporate/30298302

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com