Best Stock Exchange in Advanced Emerging Markets 2018Best Stock Exchange in Advanced Emerging Markets 2018The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is perfectly positioned to become a new global contender in world capital markets. SET enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of key Asia countries of 3.5 billion people, accounting for 32 percent of global GDP — and the country and exchange have major plans. SET offers a comprehensive range of investment products and services, plus it’s a key fund-raising engine for Thailand and the country’s massive Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project. Straddling three Thai provinces, totaling 13,285 sq. km., and at an estimated final cost of $51 billion, the ECC aims to transform the region into an internationally connected hub of high-tech innovation and creativity. It intends to become a “bridge” linking economies, trade, and investment. This falls perfectly in line with the country’s future-forward initiative, Thailand 4.0, designed to usher in a digital revolution and revitalise the economy. The Thai government is keen to spur investment — loosening restrictions on permits and offering tax breaks to facilitate SME job creation and improve infrastructure — and SET has a line of products and services to capitalise on the new incentives. With a focus of innovation and sustainable growth, SET uses cutting-edge technologies to create a competitive advantage at the international level, connecting quality listings with the funding they need. The CFI.co judging panel is happy to announce SET’s win for the 2018 Best Stock Exchange in Advanced Emerging Markets award.
Sustainability is no longer seen as a marginal issue; it is a key component of a solid business strategy to create a competitive advantage and meet social, environmental, and governance (ESG) benchmarks. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) encapsulates this principle in its mission statement and company vision, vowing to make the capital market “work” for everyone, not just a privileged few, and rolling out a line of product development that meets market needs as well as sustainability goals. The organization has made great strides in its efforts to be the regional leader in the sustainable securities exchange market, garnering top rank over its competitors in ASEAN and third in Asia. SET has been a member of the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative since 2014, and has proven its commitment to meeting sustainability goals, mandating ESG disclosure reports from all its listed entities. Based on the reports, it publishes an annual Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) list of Thai companies with prime performance on ESG markers. Dedicated to supporting SMEs’ sustainability efforts, SET founded a Social Responsibility Centre and Corporate Governance Centre, which produces guidelines, newsletters, and other publications to educate companies about sustainability reporting. Cultivating a culture of shared knowledge, the company provides listed entities with training sessions and workshops to create awareness and improve ESG competency. SET also recognises and honours listed companies with top ESG scores at annual awards events. For its encouragement of responsible long-term investment, the CFI.co judging panel proclaim the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) as the Best Sustainable Securities Exchange Southeast Asia Emerging Markets 2018.