Bangkok, June 17, 2014 ? SEC urges securities and asset management companies to concretely consider supporting anti-corruption with disclosure of Anti-corruption Progress Indicator of listed companies in the research. Meanwhile, securities and asset management companies are also urged to become a role model for anti-corruption practices as the Indicator of each business operators will be publicized from 2016 onwards.

Chalee Chantanayingyong, SEC Deputy Secretary-General, said following disclosure of the indicator of each listed companies in the third quarter of this year, the SEC planned to publicize Anti-corruption Progress Indicators of every securities and asset management companies from 2016 onwards. The disclosure aims to show implementation progress of securities business operators? anti-corruption practices and thus encourage them to participate in creating anti-corruption culture and become a role model for Thai private sector.

In addition, the SEC and Thai Institute of Directors (IOD) will hold a seminar to impulse board of director and top executives of securities and asset management companies to realize the importance of joining Collective Action Coalition (CAC). So far, four securities companies ? Kasikorn Securities, Tisco Securities, Krungsri Securities and Phatra Securities - and three asset management companies - Kasikorn Asset Management, Tisco Asset Management and Krungsri Asset Management, obtained CAC certifications. By the end of this year, all securities and asset management companies are expected to be certified and further details on progress will be disclosed.

Apart from Corporate Governance Rating (CGR), the SEC requested securities companies disclose Anti-corruption Progress Indicator of the listed companies in their research to push listed companies to set policy and operation against corruption. Also, the SEC asked securities and asset management companies to adopt the Indicator as an investment factor for their proprietary trading and investment of mutual funds under management as well as proxy voting guidelines announced by institutional investors.

?Securities business involves with other people?s money. The business operators should thus be a model for others by firmly implementing anti-graft practices. Should they raise concern and seriously implement policy to fight against corruption, it will bring about social pressure to reinforce social performance, particularly for the listed companies, which need investor and stakeholder recognition and acceptance. Moreover, it will motivate other investors to see the importance of making investment in those adhering to anti-corruption policy. On the contrary, should securities and asset management companies do not emphasize on such policy while others do, they would instead become the ones to handle social pressure,? Chalee added.