Bangkok, March 14, 2014 ? The SEC organized an event to announce the success of ?Pride of the Provinces? Project, joined by 219 companies from 39 provinces since its launch in 2011. Last night, 16 Project participants and their supporters were awarded in recognition of their success in obtaining IPO approval under the criteria.

Vorapol Socatiyanurak, SEC Secretary-General, said that ?Pride of the Provinces Project, first launched in 2011, has been fully supported by our alliances, namely 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. The Projects I and II joined by 219 companies from 39 provinces have been well-receptive during the past two years. Today event aimed to recognize the success of 16 companies approved to launch the IPOs under the specified criteria. Along with those companies, the recognition was also extended to the companies? supporters.

The awards were handed out to recognize the success of 16 companies, comprising Cho Thavee Dollasien Plc. (Khon Kaen); T.M.C. Industrial Plc., Namyong Terminal Plc. and Arrow Syndicate Plc. (Chonburi); P.C.S. Machine Group Holding Plc. (Nakhon Ratchasima); Kaset Thai International Sugar Corporation Plc. (Nakornsawan); Communication and System Solution Plc. (Nonthaburi); Fortune Parts Industry Plc.,  Eureka Design Plc. (Pathum Thani); Energy Absolute Plc. (Prachin Buri); East Coast Furnitech Plc. (Rayong); Golden Lime Plc. (Lopburi); Chularat Hospital Plc. (Samutprakarn); Crown Tech Advance Plc. and AI Energy Plc. (Samutsakorn) and Ocean Commerce Plc. (Singburi). Some of them have been or are to be the first listed company from their hometowns.

Pride of the Provinces Project has elevated Thai capital market?s role in the country development as it provides more opportunity and access for business to long-term fund source. By participating in the Project, the businesses were assisted in transition to become more transparent in order to meet with good corporate governance practices while commit to create value for shareholders and to be trustworthy for investors, suppliers and partners.
More listed businesses in each province will benefit the growth of Thai capital market and economy. The Project participants have become change agents to raise awareness among local business operators and inspire them to improve their business operation and management in preparation for competition resulting from the AEC. Additionally, the participants? role contributing to development of their provinces and regions can be regarded as social responsibility and support sustainable development; the issues in which global investors are increasingly interested.

All of the 16 companies acknowledged the benefit of ?Pride of the Provinces? Project to local business operators nationwide as it provides them with knowledge about the capital market and encourage them to use the Thai capital market as alternative source for fundraising. Stronger local businesses contribute positively their communities by narrowing down income gap with increase in employment rate and income distribution as well as slowing the pace of urbanization.  They all wish to be a role model for other Project members in attempt to develop their businesses.?

Earlier, ?Pride of the Provinces III? has been launched and now opens for new application until the end of May.