Annual Report 2017

47 1. Fund-Raising Platform 1.1 Attract new high quality listed securities and enhance quality of listed companies across value chain SET will accelerate fund-raising activities targeting at both domestic and international businesses with focus on high-potential Thai industries and foreign securities. SET will also encourage listed companies to utilize secondary equity offering instruments for capital increase to boost potential and strengthen business capabilities of listed firms. Simultaneously, in developing listed companies’ quality towards sustainable growth, SET encourages them to embrace their business model with the environment, social, and governance (ESG) aspects in doing business. SET will also provide various types of training to approximately 700 corporate professionals to effectively utilize the capital market to meet their firms’ financial needs. In addition, SET has tightened up surveillance measures on listed companies by grouping listed companies with financial and behavioral irregularities and putting up a warning sign to alert investors, all of which to maintain the quality of listed companies across the board. In 2018, SET targets to increasemarket capitalization by THB 550 billion from both initial public offering (IPO) and secondary equity offering. Moreover, SET aims to grow the ratio of market capitalization to GDP to 150% by 2021, in line with the goal of Thailand’s Capital Market Development Plan (2018-2021). 1.2 Support fund-raising opportunities for startups and SMEs SET realizes the importance of startups and SMEs which will become the foundation of Thailand’s long-term economic development. SET will promote a new access to capital of high-potential startups and SMEs through the LiVE platformwhich is an over-the-counter (OTC) platform available for accredited investors (AI), to be enhanced by an education program to support high potential startups’ and SMEs’ capabilities in doing business. In addition, SET will set up a corporate venture capital (CVC) to invest in potential startups and SMEs in Thailand to promote their business growth, as well as to strengthen SET’s business development by investing in startups in other countries. 2. Investment Expansion 2.1 Expand investor base and develop quality of retail investors SET is committed to promoting saving and investment culture in the Thai society. SET encourages retail investors, especially the young generation and new investors, to sign up on a regular investment saving plan through the dollar-cost averaging (DCA) technique for both equity and mutual fund investments. Together with partners in the capital market, SET plans to encourage the career people to realize the importance of savings via provident funds. In addition, SET will develop more tools and channels on the digital platformsuchas online educationandapplication for financial health check. In 2018, SET targets to attract 50,000 new retail accounts signing up for DCA investment, and educate 500,000 persons on financial investment knowledge, preparing them for happy retirement. 2.2 Promote the Thai capital market and expand foreign investor base SET aims to increase the number of listed companies to be included in such internationally recognized indices as MSCI and Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). SET will continuously promote the development and capabilities of the Thai capital market among foreign investors by highlighting the prominent features, competitive advantages and potential. In addition, SET will initiatively communicate listed companies’ information and data in the form of digital roadshow, online via leading international media.