Thailand’s Finance Minister Opens Its Futures Exchange April 28

The Thai finance minister will preside over the inauguration of Thailand’s futures exchange on April 28, and witnessed by representatives from financial institutions and capital market institutions in Thailand and overseas. Thailand Futures Exchange PCL (TFEX) is confident in its systems on its market launch.

TFEX carry out its inauguration on April 28, 2006, after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted approval for TFEX, Thailand Clearing House Co., Ltd. (TCH), and TFEX member companies to start operation relating to futures products, TFEX Managing Director, Ms. Kesara Manchusree, disclosed. Finance Minister Dr. Thanong Bidaya will preside over the ceremony, to be held on the first floor of The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Building starting from 9:00 am.

“It is an honor for TFEX to receive very good responses from local and foreign institutions in being our guests at the launching ceremony. They are, for example, securities companies, banks, government organizations, and foreign futures exchanges. Their participation is a good sign of interest and cooperation on the capital market. TFEX is confident that trading on the market launch date will be smooth, since trading and other related systems have been well-prepared.

“Trading of SET50 Index Futures, TFEX’s first product, looks positive, as there have been many inquiries about the product. Also, Thai investors have shown interest in opening accounts for futures trading, and brokers have continually educated their customers. Their customers are currently investing in Thai stocks and will benefit from SET50 Index Futures,” Ms. Kesara said.

Persons interested in SET50 Index Futures can study more about the product from TFEX website, www.tfex.co.th, or consult TFEX brokers. Market movements of SET50 Index Futures is available on four distribution channels:

• The TV ticker on Money Channel, Nation Channel, ITV, and Modernine TV
• Websites: www.tfex.co.th, www.settrade.com, www.set.or.th
• Business newspapers (on the market round-up page)
• Mobile information service via Wap and SMS. Securities symbols can be sent to 4800900 to get updated information about futures.

Moreover, Settrade.Com Co., Ltd. has developed the ‘Streaming-D’ system to enable users to check real-time derivatives data from www.webhoon.com Those interested in the service can apply to any broker allied with webhoon.com. Derivatives data is distributed through brokers and data venders as well.