Listed property developer Megaworld Corp. aims to reinforce extensive residential marketing network overseas to enhance its brand recognition and its ability to presell residential units, Chairman and President Andrew L. Tan said last week.
In a talk with reporters, Mr. Tan said Megaworld would set up more representative offices in United States in the next few years and move in the east coast. Currently having three offices in California, Megaworld intends to open "no less than six offices in major cities in the US."
"We were the first to start putting offices in the international market. Right now, we have marketing offices in Europe, Asia and US. We have been very aggressive as we intend to expand internationally considering the growth in remittances. This is good opportunity for us," he added.
In 1997, the company was the first Philippine property company to create an international marketing and sales division specifically targeted at overseas Filipinos. Sales of this group have increased each succeeding year. The company’s international marketing and sales division is comprised of 23 offices worldwide which market the projects of the company and its affiliates to overseas Filipino professionals and retirees throughout Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia.
PORTFOLIO
Megaworld’s real estate portfolio includes residential condominium units, subdivision lots and townhouses as well as office projects and retail space. The company has the following three primary business segments: real estate sales of residential and office developments, leasing of office space, primarily to business process outsourcing (BPO) enterprises and retail space and management of hotel operations.
The company is currently the largest developer and owner of office buildings targeting BPO enterprises in the Philippines in terms of leased space. Megaworld developed Eastwood City in Quezon City, making the company the first to focus on community township development.
The company’s objective is to increase its profitability and maintain its leading position as a major property developer in the Philippines, specifically in the middle-income residential condominium market and the market for BPO-related office developments.
FUND-RAISING
Mr. Tan "there is no plan for further borrowing" to raise funds.
Recently, Megaworld Cayman Islands, Inc. (MCII), the wholly owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corp., sold $100-million five-year bonds at a yield of 7.875% per annum last July.
The proceeds will be used to fast-track the listed property firm’s Newport City project, including the development of a hotel, retail and entertainment complex, and the construction of buildings designed for companies in BPO and logistics industries.
Expected to be completed by 2008, Newport City is a community township located on 25 hectares of land in the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Adjacent to Villamor golf course, it is expected to include medium-rise residential towers, a five-star hotel to be managed by an international chain, retail and commercial areas, a business and technology park, and leisure and tourism components.
Last April, it concluded an international follow-on equity offering for $122 million. A master developer of large-scale projects set in prime locations in Metro Manila, Megaworld attracted 50 institutional investors covered in the global road show.
Megaworld will increase its authorized capital stock to P10 billion consisting of 10 billion common shares. It will seek approval of its stockholders in their annual meeting on Oct. 3 to convert all its unissued preferred shares to common shares on a one-to-one basis.
Megaworld First Vice-President Francisco Canuto said the company aims to simplify the capital structure of the company and provide adequate unissued common shares which may be available for future issuances by the company as determined by its board of directors. -- Ruby Anne M. Rubio
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