SMEs operators, civil servants swot up on capital market access
SMEs operators, civil servants swot up on capital market access
More than 200 government employees and small and medium enterprise (SMEs) operators discussed opportunities and challenges to capital market access in Asean Economic Community (AEC) at a seminar yesterday.
The seminar on “Opportunity and Challenges for Lao SMEs to Capital Market Access in AEC” was held in Vientiane and organised by
Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department in collaboration with Vientiane Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Lao Securities Exchange (LSX).
The objective of the seminar is to continue implementation of resolutions of the 10th Party Congress and 8th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2016-2020), and resolution of the 6th Vientiane Party Committee Congress.
It seeks to build understanding of the private sector on government direction and policy, especially the vision of Vientiane authorities in regard to progressing AEC integration.
Another objective is to build understanding of SME operators in regard to the access of capital markets, opportunities and challenges to capital market access in AEC.
This seminar will enable SMEs operators to prepare themselves for capital market access and competition in AEC, Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department Mr Berlin Phetchanthalath said in his opening remarks.
Lecturers from the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) under the Securities Exchange of Thailand Act, listed companies in Laos namely Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL Public) and Souvanny Home Centre Public Company were invited to present on four themes.
These were “Challenges for SMEs Growth”, “Capital Market and Opportunities for Business in AEC”, “Use of Capital Market in Business Expansion”, and “Preparation for Enterprises to Capital Market Access”.
This seminar was implemented in line with integration strategy with Vientiane joining with fellow cities of the AEC as well as cities and provinces of friendly countries in line with foreign policy of Laos and the so called “five goods” slogan for the business sector.
The five goods consist of good development, good labour and new technology usage, good accounting in line with law, good adherence to payment of tax obligations, good environmental protection and raw material usage, he added.
The Lao stock market was established in 2010.
Over the past seven years the LSX has seen steady growth, notably increasing the number of listed companies from two in 2011 to five companies at present.
These listed entities are EDL-Gen, BCEL, Lao World Public Company, Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company, and Souvanny Home Centre Public Company.
Three securities companies act as brokers to buy and sell shares for the listed companies, two of which joined the seminar along with four financial advisory firms.
Vice Mayor of Vientiane Mr Keophilavanh Aphaylath, President of Vientiane Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Sangkhom Chansouk, and the Chief Executive Officer of the LSX, Mr Vanhkham Voravong were in attendance.
