Bangkok, February 3, 2014 ? The SEC in cooperation with alliance from both public and private sectors launched ?Pride of the Provinces III? to gear up provincial businesses? fund raising and capital market knowledge. The third edition offers privileges not less than its predecessors but the application must be filed within May 31, 2014.

SEC Secretary-General Vorapol Socatiyanurak said the SEC in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), the Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Investment Banking Club and participating approved auditors gear ?Pride of the Province III?, aiming to promote knowledge on capital market and fund raising to businesses nationwide. The project also supports intermediaries and professionals in capital market such as financial advisors, auditors and securities companies in term of expansion of their businesses throughout the country.

?From the introduction of the first ?Pride of the Provinces? two years ago, 219 companies from 39 provinces nationwide have participated in the project.? The SEC realizes that wider participation will bring about more awareness, knowledge and understanding on capital market as well as corporate governance, all of which will certainly be beneficial for improvement of provincial and family business management. As such, the SEC and our alliances continue the projects to help strengthen Thai businesses nationwide, eventually contributable to sound economic fundamental and sustainable growth,? said Vorapol.

For those interested in joining ?Pride of the Provinces III?, they are required to meet the criteria of having paid-up registered capital and shareholders? equities not less than 20 million baht, or having either profit or retain earnings in the latest fiscal financial statements. In addition, they must provide advantages to their own provinces and are interested to raise fund through the stock exchange.? All the criteria are similar to the first two editions of the projects.

Qualified businesses will be able to attend training courses on capital market, fund raising and preparation for becoming a publicly traded company. Moreover, they can seek advice on IPO and listing requirements from financial advisors, auditors, the SET and the SEC. Participants obtained the SEC?s approval for going public within 2014
will be awarded a plate of honor.

For further details of the project and application form, please visit the SEC?s website at www.sec.or.th/ipop or dial 0-2695-9999 ext. 2 or 08-1931-4999. Application forms can now be submitted at F.T.I. provincial chapters, provincial Chamber of Commerce or the SEC without any expenses until May 31, 2014.