Rapid changes from technological advancements, consumer behavior and greater expectations of investors are causing listed companies to adjust their business strategies by incorporating good governance and corporate social and environmental responsibility as part of the company's business plan. SEC has issued guidelines that reflect such necessities in the Corporate Governance Code for Listed Companies (CG Code) as well as the Investment Governance Code for Institutional Investors (I Code). The seminar aims to support listed companies to recognize the expectations of institutional investors and related parties in the capital market in order to create understanding and cooperation in the use of good governance principles for sustainable development.

In this seminar, SEC was honored by Dr. Prasarn Trairatvorakul, who gave a keynote speech on Thai businesses on the path to sustainable growth. From the Tom Yam Kung crisis 20 years ago, Thai businesses have made great improvements in strategic risk management and corporate governance. In the past, the business sector was expected only to make their own profit, and the government was responsible for the public interest. Today, the business sector is growing and becoming an important factor for driving the economy and the prosperity of the country due to its direct involvement with customers, business partners, shareholders or creditors, while the government sector is constantly changing. As a result, many people expect the business sector to be the key force in establishing corporate governance and driving all sectors to achieve sustainable growth rather than the government sector. Businesses must therefore take good corporate governance seriously so that all related supply chains can grow together.

In addition, Mr. Jamie Allen, Executive of the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), also gave the honor of conveying important perspectives that institutional investors are becoming an increasingly important part of shareholders. Participation in awareness and decision-making on various policies help encourage executives of listed companies to conduct business with social and environmental awareness in the business process with the goal of bringing long-term business growth rather than looking at short-term benefits, resulting in sustainable business governance.

During the last part of the seminar, participants from the business sector agreed that progress in technology has played an important role in causing businesses to adapt and prepare to handle the expectations of investors in accuracy, speed of service and the need to disclose information equally in addition to the management of new generations. It is therefore the challenge of the business sector on how to adapt itself to keep businesses growing and to survive sustainably in harmony with the environment in every dimension.

SEC Secretary-General Rapee Sucharitakul said “SEC is committed to strengthening the capital market for growth and sustainable development by developing the potential of listed companies in accordance with the CG Code, starting with establishing a sustainable corporate strategy, good corporate governance, risk management, especially risks in corporate sustainability, management of resources that is economical, worthwhile, and maximizes benefits by considering the needs of the stakeholders while also establishing balance in the economy, society and the environment.

Sustainable growth cannot rely on rules alone, but must rely on the appreciation of and compliance with good corporate governance by the listed companies themselves, including the impetus from market participants, especially institutional investors.

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