Securities market know-how spreading

Securities market know-how spreading

As the Lao securities market heats up after opening its doors to public trading early last week, knowledge of the securities market is itself becoming a hot commodity.

Bouthviset College conducted the first seminar on capital markets at the end of last year, and has introduced another seminar on the same subject in response to continuing popular demand.

It cooperated with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to hold a seminar on Friday entitled ‘Business Finance in Capital Markets for Professional Executives’, which introduced participants to the workings of capital markets.

The college also signed an MOU for cooperation with the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Asset Pro Management of Thailand to run a course, which covers topics including business financial structure and its importance, basics of corporate finance, making capital investment decisions, cost of capital and capital structure, securities valuation, brokers and trading, financial strategy, and capital market laws and regulations in Laos.

The course will run from January 22, taking up 78 hours. The trainers are professors, company presidents and business consultants, both domestic and foreign. During the course, the trainees will also participate in a study tour visit to Bangkok, Thailand, to see market operations in action as they happen.

The course introduction was held at the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chaired by Lao Securities Exchange Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr Dethphouvang Moularat, Secretary General of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Khanthavong Daravong, and Chairman and Executive Director of Bouthviset College Mr Chansavath Khounviset.

It attracted participants from various sectors, including government offices, state enterprises, private businesses, general investors and students curious about whether or not to enrol in the course.

During the course introduction seminar, Mr Dethphouvang said, “The securities market is important as it is a fast track for fund generation and contributes to the national economy.”

“The recent public trading shows that the Lao securities market has made a good start and is getting a favourable reaction from investors as the share prices of companies in the market continue to rise.”

“The securities market can create new millionaires but quick decisions based on sound knowledge are vital if one is to benefit from the opportunities that present themselves.”

The Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) is expected to boost the economy and increase domestic production levels.

Work on the LSX began in 2007 as a cooperative venture between the Lao government, which holds a 51 percent share, and the Korean stock exchange, which holds the remaining 49 percent. Its primary market opened on October 10 last year and the secondary market for public trading started on January 11 this year.

vientiane times