SET, SEC work on easing rules so foreign companies can be listed in Thai stock markets

SET president Pakorn Peetathawatchai expects foreign holding companies, infrastructure funds and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to be able to raise funds both in primary and secondary markets by next year.

He said SET also plans to set up a third stock market to help start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises to raise funds. This third stock market should be ready to go into operation by the second or third quarter next year.

“Currently we have SET and the Market for Alternative Investment, but we don’t have any foreign companies listed, so we need to help bring foreign firms into the Thai stock market,” he said.

“Meanwhile, we are working on setting up a new stock market to help start-ups and SMEs raise funds, but it is not easy because small companies have many risks.”

Pakorn added that the SET, SEC and the Bank of Thailand have established the Thai Institute of Directors to help listed companies report their information effectively, to ensure proper corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.