Stock Exchange Of Thailand Enhances Quantity And Quality Of Listed Firms

The Chairman of the Capital Market Opportunity Center (CMOC) of the SET, Ms. Sopawadee Lertmanaschai, announced that, in the second half of this year, the SET would focus on enhancing both the quantity and quality of listed companies. It will work proactively with allied organizations such as the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Asset Management Corporation, the Small Industrial Finance Corporation, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, and the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand, to build up a network and customer-base of companies having potential to list on the bourse. Furthermore, it will collaborate with these organizations in term of creating a policy framework, and a working process, as well as holding educational activities to promote greater understanding of the requirements for becoming a listed company, plus providing analysis and advisory services in, for example, financial restructuring, fundraising, and good corporate governance.

On Wednesday 14 August 2002, the SET, in collaboration with the Board of Investment, will hold a seminar entitled "What BOI-Promoted Firms will Gain from Becoming a Listed Company", at the Sangvian Indaravijaya Auditorium of the SET builiding, to present the benefits of gaining a listing on the SET for companies that have the potential to list on the Exchange which are receiving BOI promotion packages.

"The seminar is another effort of the SET to provide appropriate information regarding the benefits of becoming a listed company to this group of businesses, plus the SET's services available to facilitate a listing, as well as to provide an opportunity for companies to exchange information with SET-listed firms and consult on issues dealing with fundraising through the SET or the MAI.

There are many advantages to getting listed during this period, as besides the lower cost of funding, companies listing on the bourse before the end of September 2004 will be entitled to pay only 20% and 25% corporate income tax for five consecutive accounting periods if listed on the MAI and the SET respectively. Moreover, the admission fee and annual fee have already been reduced for approximately 50%," Ms. Sopawadee said.

Furthermore, as Ms. Sopawadee reaffirmed: "It is opportune for companies to list on the bourse since the study and preparation time has been shortened to an average of six to nine months. Hence, the sooner the feasibility study begins, the better opportunity companies will have to enhance their competitiveness. For more information, companies are invited to attend the seminar and seek advice from our marketing team, which is ready to answer all inquiries. For businesses interested in listing on the SET, please call Tel: 0-2229-2025, or Tel: 0-2229-2028 for the MAI, on every working days."

The seminar "What BOI-Promoted Firms will Gain from Becoming a Listed Company" will have a number of distinguished guest speakers from financial advisory companies, listed companies, and the SET speaking on various topics of interest, such as "Strengthening Business through Capital Market Mechanisms", "How Financial Advisory Companies and Securities Companies Can Help BOI-Promoted to List", "Focus on the Insights of an Experienced Fundraiser". The seminar will be held on Wednesday August 14, 2002, 1.30-5.00 p.m. at the Sangvian Indaravijaya Auditorium, 3rd Floor, the Stock Exchange of Thailand Building, Rachdapisek Road. Admission is free. Please call Tel: 0-2936-1429 Ext. 202, 206 for a reservation.