The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Fundraising Venue, developed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aims to attract global investments to the EEC region. Mr. Chulapa Sukhmanop, Secretary-General of the EEC Policy Committee, revealed that the SEC, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC), the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and the Bank of Thailand (BOT) are collaborating to promote the EEC Fundraising Venue project. The objective is to create an investment environment in the EEC that provides diversified financial services in the money and capital markets of Thailand.
Investors will have the flexibility and appropriate capital to engage in financial transactions, fundraising, and access financial services. The target audience includes international corporations, large Thai enterprises, SMEs, and start-ups across 12 specific industries. Furthermore, environmentally friendly businesses, known as green businesses, are encouraged to invest or expand their investments in the EEC area.
In this regard, the SEC and SET, with the approval of the BOT, will jointly conduct a feasibility study to develop the aforementioned fundraising venue. The study will focus on developing a system that supports fundraising and securities trading for targeted investors in the EEC area. It will be implemented on the infrastructure platform of the SET. The development will consist of two main parts:
1. Traditional Path – SET: The EEC Fundraising Venue will begin by raising funds primarily in foreign currencies, starting with the US dollar. This will provide convenience for businesses that wish to raise funds or prepare financial statements using foreign currencies as their primary currency. They will be able to easily engage in fundraising transactions, register shares with the stock exchange, and conveniently access financing. The SET will consider various approaches to develop the trading system and platform.
2. Digital Path – Thai Digital Assets Exchange (TDX): The EEC Fundraising Venue will explore the option of raising funds through digital assets on the Thai Digital Assets Exchange. This will serve as a new fundraising method for high-value-added businesses, including project finance for start-ups and innovation-based businesses.
The SEC firmly believes that the development of the EEC Fundraising Venue will be a crucial infrastructure to support financial services in Thailand’s capital and money markets. It will cater to the needs of both Thai and international investors, providing them with alternative options for fundraising in foreign currencies. Additionally, it will enhance financial instruments available to market participants. The SEC is pleased to support the development of the EEC, which currently allows registration criteria for the New Economy Track in Thai Baht. This criterion supports targeted industrial groups within the EEC to conveniently register with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI). It is expected that the US dollar board will attract investors who are not interested in foreign exchange risks but consider Thai underlying securities as significant.
Ms. Chomkwan Kongsook, Deputy Secretary-General of the SEC, expressed support for the development of the EEC Fundraising Venue. She believes that the project will benefit both securities issuers and investors in choosing currencies for fundraising and registering companies while adhering to the established registration criteria. These criteria are based on the traditional principles of regulatory oversight, ensuring investor protection, and maintaining market efficiency.
In summary, the EEC Fundraising Venue serves as an essential initiative to stimulate investments in the EEC region. It provides a wide range of financial services, attracting both domestic and international investors to engage in business activities within the EEC and Thailand.