Thai accepts Dairy deal

May 16, 2005

BOONYARATI Chatchai, a Thai businessman, has accepted the government’s proposal to take over the Dairy Corporation through a management contract.

By Mary Karugaba

BOONYARATI Chatchai, a Thai businessman, has accepted the government’s proposal to take over the Dairy Corporation through a management contract.

Sources from the Privatisation Unit yesterday said the government had sent him a proposed management contract with terms and conditions for study.

“He accepted the management contract when we told him that we had changed from leasing to management contract. We have since written to him the new terms and conditions in the new contract but he has not yet replied. But I know he is ready to come because he is still studying the terms of the agreement,” a source said.

Last month, the government abandoned the $1m lease deal for the state-owned corporation and opted for the management contract.

Bonyarati is the chairman of the board of Malee Sampran Public Company. He also owns shares in numerous Thai companies that process milk and fruit products like Abico Dairy Farm Company, Campina Company limited and Sweet Corn factory.

The public and the MPs welcomed the deal, but said it must go through competitive bidding to determine the best dealer.

Privatisation minister Peter Kasenene said it was too early to comment but confirmed that they were waiting for a reply.

He said they did not go for competitive management bidding because “we are satisfied with the man’s skills and ability to process milk and fruits from one plant. Our vision is to expand the production of milk and introduce fruit processing.”

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