Wednesday, November 18, 2009

TA Global lines up RM7b projects over next 2 years

By Sharen Kaur (Published in NST on October 31 2009)

TA GLOBAL Bhd, which will rank as the country's fifth biggest listed property group in terms of market value, has lined up around RM7 billion worth of property development projects locally, to be launched over the next two years.

Director Datin Alicia Tiah said three projects will be launched in the second half of next year. They are Dutamas in Mont' Kiara, U-Thant 28 in Ampang and Seri Suria, a mix development in Sri Damansara.

By 2011, the group plans to launch Nova Square at the junction of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Imbi, and two 50-storey residences near the Petronas Twin Towers, in Kuala Lumpur.

Nova Square features an office tower, a serviced apartment block, a five-star hotel carrying the Aava brand, and a podium for boutique shops.

Tiah said the development order has been approved for Nova Square and it will be submitting its building plans soon.

"We will take a year to lay the foundation. Construction would take another three years. We are confident of selling the property due to its location. We will, however, retain the hotel, a few apartments and the
podium for recurring income," she added.

Tiah said she expects TA Global to maintain its profits in the current financial year ending January 31 2010 and in 2011. But revenue may dip due to fewer launches.

"We expect higher margins from our overseas investment properties, thanks to foreign exchange gain. Locally, we sold many high margin products and the profits would be recognised over the next few quarters,"
she said.

Last year, TA Global made a net profit of RM92.9 million on a revenue of RM441 million.

"If things go well and we get faster approvals for our projects, TA Global may surpass the RM93 million in fiscal 2011," she said at the launch of TA Global's prospectus in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

TA Global is due to list on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia on November 23.

Its parent, TA Enterprise Bhd (TAE) is looking to raise RM230 million from the listing.

Tiah, who is TAE co-founder and managing director, said it will use the proceeds to pare down debt and for working capital to expand its financial services.

TAE folded all its property assets into TA Global to "unlock the hidden value".

The initial public offering entails 460 million ordinary shares of RM0.50 each at an offer price of RM0.50 apiece.

It will offer 360 million shares for private placement to selected Bumiputera institutions and investors, and 90 million shares to Bumiputera citizens, companies, societies, cooperatives and institutions by way of balloting.

Some 10 million shares will be issued to eligible directors and employees of the company.

TAE will retain a 57 per cent stake in TA Global after the listing, while TA Global executive chairman Datuk Tony Tiah Thee Kian will hold 8.1 per cent.

In addition, TA Global, which has total assets valued at RM2.4 billion, will raise RM135 million via a rights issue.

Proceeds from the rights issue will be used to renovate its Aava Whistler Hotel in Canada, acquire more assets and undertake new developments.

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