No Fees To Be Charged For Thai Bond Listings Until End-2008

As part of promoting the bond market, The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has waived listing and trading fees for bonds for another year - until the end of 2008.

These include the application, entrance and annual fees for listing and the trading fee of 0.005%, SET Executive Vice President and Board Secretary Mr. Suthichai Chitvanich said.

“The board considers that extending the fee-free period will boost bond trading while not increasing brokers’ expenses. The initiative will promote bond issuance and fundraising through the capital market,” Mr. Suthichai added.

The move conforms with the second Thai Capital Market Development Plan (2006-2010), which envisages the Thai bond market expanding over five years from THB 4.25 trillion (approx. USD 123.63 billion) or 56% of GDP to 80% of GDP, about THB 6 trillion (approx. USD 174.42 billion).

The Thai Bond Electronic Exchange began operations in November 2003, and has waived listing and trading fees for four years since then.