by: Rafael dela Costa
The FMAP GMM held last February 25 at the Makati Shangri-la was sponsored by Macquarie Securities, featuring a presentation from one of the top property firms in the country, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH).
The event began with an invocation given by Mr. Mr. Gerard Martin Abad, Head of Equities of Sunline and head of the Public Affairs Committee of the FMAP, followed by welcoming remarks from Metrobank’s Trust Officer and FMAP President Ms. Josefina Tiangco Tuplano. As the guests continued to enjoy their meal, Mr. Gino Rojas, Macquarie Securities’ Head of Equity, introduced the main speaker, SMPH Vice President for Investor Relations Mr. Alexander Pomento, who discussed updates and prospects for SMPH. He started off by briefly elaborating on each of the company’s key business units – malls, residential, commercial, and hotels and convention centers. He then outlined the Company’s key strategies, with emphasis on further growing its mall business – both within the Philippines and in China – and pursuing opportunities for acquiring a strategic landbank. He also presented the Company’s 5-year roadmap plan to double its income by 2018, driven mainly by growth from the malls and residential business units. Mr. Pomento shared the Company’s capital expenditures plan, explaining that funding would come mainly from debt as it aims to reach a capital structure of 50-50 debt and equity. Afterwards, he answered queries from the audience, which varied from clarifications on line items in the financial statement to updates on the situation in Ortigas.
The memorable event was concluded with closing remarks from Chief Investment Officer of BPI Asset Management Mr. Smith Chua, the FMAP VP for Ethics and Media Relations.