Kittiratt said in a special talk “M&A: Key successful factor for Thai business” that focusing on M&A is a business strategy for jump-growth and synergy in increasing competitiveness of Thai businesses and making them more attractive to domestic and foreign investors. The government also agreed to a charter draft on Thai capital market M&A enhancement on January 4, 2012, and the draft is currently being reviewed. However, generating the most benefit from reforming laws and tax system for M&A depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Vorapol Socatiyanurak, Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said: “The M&A law draft expresses the government’s policy to encourage firms to use M&A to increase their business potentials. SEC, The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and other stakeholders all agree to speed up launching the M&A law and improve some content for clarity, completion and in line with the practicality. SEC has appointed a M&A committee consisting of top executives from the public and private sectors to advise it on the M&A law draft. SEC believes that the law will enable Thai companies to compete internationally more capably.
Charamporn Jotikasthira, SET President, said: “Growing business through organic growth might not enable Thai firms to compete effectively given the current intensive competition. M&A is greatly useful to increase a company’s economy of scale, e.g., channels of distribution could be expanded. For listed companies, M&A will boost market capitalization and liquidity. As the core organization to drive the capital market for strengthening the country’s economy, SET is ready to cooperate with all sectors in pushing M&A as a key agenda to encourage the country’s competitiveness and expand opportunities for listed companies and investors.”
This M&A talk was to alert all capital market stakeholders and present the importance of M&A in increasing company potential and growth opportunities. Speakers are experts from various fields, consisting of Banpu’s CEO Chanin Vongkusolkit, MFEC’s Executive Board Chairman and Director Adirek Patithat, Phatra Capital CEO Aphinant Klewpatinond presenting the viewpoint of a financial advisor and Baker and McKenzie Chairman Kittipong Urapeepatanapong looking at M&A from a legal aspect.
The M&A talk will be broadcast on www.set.or.th/mna from Monday, March 26.