Bangkok--7 Feb--SET The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) will actively support firms wishing to become eligible for tax privileges over the next three years by listing before end-2008. SET will work with financial advisory firms, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and companies seeking listing to expedite the process and will host a forum, IPO Focus, to network with and update interested firms and other parties involved. The Exchange’s New Listing Committee and the issuer marketing teams have worked out how firms that have submitted their preliminary listing applications in 2007 will beable to list by end-2008. They will then become eligible for corporate tax reductions of 5% for listing on SET and 10% for Market for Alternative Investment (mai), SET and New Listing Committee Chairman Pakorn Malakul Na Ayudhya said. “In 2007, several firms showed interest but, because some were still limited companies, the Committee must now assist them to quickly become public companies. A well-prepared firm has choices about when to list, spreading listings over the year, which is preferable for both companies and investors seeking to diversify,” Mr. Pakorn said. Normally, if a company is well-prepared and has submitted listing application to SEC and complete documentation to SET, listing can commence within 60 days of the application. “SET focuses on promoting the advantages of capital market listing in terms of value creation and image building,” Mr. Pakorn added. In 2007, financial advisory firms played an essential role by supporting the listing applications of 34 firms. If the companies have already converted to public company status, they can proceed to submit listing application to SEC and provide additional documents to SET. After receiving SEC approval, they can present their initial public offering (IPO), then commencing trading on SET or mai. As well as providing IPO Focus for listed companies, SET urges board members to attend the Director Accreditation Program of the Thai Institute of Directors to deepen their knowledge of directors’ roles and responsibilities and understand good corporate governance principles. On Feb. 25, 2008, SET and SEC will review the situation with the financial advisors to ensure high quality service for this year’s potential listings.