Chailease Holding Co Ltd (中租控股), the nation’s top leasing services provider, aims to increase its revenue by 15 percent this year as the Taipei-based conglomerate seeks to deepen its presence in Asia and mulls the possibility of entering Europe.
“We will seek expansion in Southeast Asia, while maintaining our leadership position in Taiwan and China,” Chailease Group chairman Andre Koo (辜仲立) said.
The group owns Chailese Holding as well as Grand Pacific Investment & Development Holding Co (中時控股), which operates the Park City Hotel chain (成旅晶贊), Yellowstone Securities Co (中時保全) and other business interests.
Chailease aims to increase its revenue by 15 percent this year on stronger loan demand from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan, China and elsewhere in Asia, Koo said.
The capital leasing firm, which has 30 outlets in China and 20 in Taiwan, is seeking to step up its operations in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, said Koo, the youngest son of Jeffrey Koo Sr (辜濂松), founder of CTBC Financial Holding Co (中信金控).
The company is evaluating the desirability of re-entering the Philippines and will soon reach a conclusion after the global financial turmoil in 2008 foiled its previous efforts, Andre Koo said.
In addition, Chailease is eyeing the Italian market, where SMEs drive the European nation’s economy, Andre Koo said, adding that the company has not given up on tapping Russia, though a spate of unfavorable events has caused uncertainty about investments in the nation.
To help its business expand, Chailease plans to hire 500 new employees this year — with 200 each in Taiwan and China as the two markets account for more than 90 percent of the company’s sales, spokesman Kevin Liao (廖英智) said.
The company does not require prior working experience, but is looking at candidates with English proficiency, and a willingness to work abroad and meet various professional challenges, Liao said.
The group plans to open a new hotel this year and is developing its own beef noodle brand, Andre Koo said.
It has become a trend for domestic financial conglomerates to run hotels, making it more difficult to find ideal locations and partners, Andre Koo said.
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