ALLY, the real estate investment trust, emphasizes its identity as a "Green Community Mall" while reinforcing its success for the year 2023 after acquiring new assets from the "Happy Avenue Don Mueang" project. The trust is committed to maintaining its existing tenant base and expanding with new tenants, all while adhering to ESG management principles to support stable operational growth. The trust also revealed progress on plans for new asset investments.

Mr. Kwinth Eamsakulrat, CEO of Ally REIT Management Co., Ltd., as the manager of the ALLY trust, stated that ALLY focuses on investing in various types of real estate in Thailand under the concept of places for a new lifestyle, encompassing living, working, and leisure. The main investments of the ALLY trust include high-quality neighborhood shopping centers, department stores, office buildings, and distribution centers throughout Thailand, particularly in prime locations in Bangkok and tourist provinces, to ensure continuous growth. Thus, the trust consistently expands its investments in quality assets that can be managed and improved to enhance value for unitholders.

The success of expanding the new asset portfolio in mid-2023 saw the trust acquire new assets from the Happy Avenue Don Mueang project, marking the first freehold investment for the trust. This brings the total number of managed shopping center projects to 14, with a total net leasable area of approximately 164,543 square meters and a total asset value reaching 13.7 billion baht, making it one of the top retail trusts in the country by total asset value.

The trust continues to manage its assets through three strategies, reinforcing its position as a "Green Community Mall": 1.) Green Public Space focuses on expanding green areas in every project to meet outdoor accessibility; 2.) Curated Tenants & Mix selects diverse tenants suitable for each project's location; and 3.) ESG Leadership emphasizes ESG leadership in each project, which is crucial for community malls, focusing on environmental, social, and governance factors. The trust aims to reduce energy consumption to no more than 34.4 kWh/sq.m. and is transitioning to renewable energy, including rooftop solar in 10 projects, accounting for 17% of total electricity usage. Additionally, over 57 EV charging stations have been installed across all projects, alongside waste management initiatives and support for public benefit activities from both government and private sectors. The trust also promotes health and safety for its employees and partners, and plans to support local SMEs through Neighborhood Market events in each project by the end of 2023, aiming for continuous community engagement. Furthermore, the trust has set a goal for its assets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Mr. Kwinth added that the trust remains committed to continuously expanding its asset portfolio, planning consistent annual investments based on five criteria for project selection: (1.) Location in areas with strong purchasing power and continuous growth; (2.) Asset with accessible and comfortable designs, regularly maintained; (3.) Tenants that are strong and well-integrated; (4.) Sponsor reputable and experienced project developers; and (5.) Financial performance indicators such as IRR and Yield that ensure growth in all circumstances. Currently, the trust is studying 3-5 projects, with clear conclusions expected in 2024, funded by the trust's liquidity, which will enhance returns and reduce financial costs from borrowing.

Meanwhile, for the remainder of 2023, the trust will continue to maintain its existing tenant base, which currently includes leading retailers in the top three business categories: Food & Beverage (F&B) at approximately 21%, Home & Construction at around 15%, and Beauty & Health at about 10%. The trust is also expanding with new tenants, focusing on essential retail to enhance the lifestyle experience of each location. In the early part of Q4 2023, over 2,900 square meters of new tenants have been added in the F&B and Beauty & Health sectors, including Pizza Hut, Sipolle By Chef Dan, MUSE HAIR CLINIC, and physiotherapy clinics. The trust aims to maintain an average occupancy rate of 93-94% for the entire year of 2023, achieving 93.4% in Q3 2023, which supports stable operational growth.