Bangkok, January 12, 2015 ? The SEC supports asset management companies to raise their competitiveness with more distribution channels, new types of mutual funds and join business development in the region with foreign investment funds as well as using mutual funds to help solve a lack of savings.

Vorapol Socatiyanurak, SEC Secretary-General revealed after the last quarterly meeting of 2014 with the Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) that ?the SEC facilitates conductive environment for asset management companies? higher competitiveness. Regulations governing fund establishment and management have been issued and revised with more flexibility and in line with international standards supportive to the capital market development. New distribution channels such as fund supermart and more convenient access to paying agents have been allowed to reach out the investors. Furthermore, new types of mutual funds permissible to invest in a variety of assets have been introduced; for example, mutual funds for accredited investors (AIs) investing in securities listed on the exchanges in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and mutual fund without derivatives investment limit. The SEC also urged the asset management companies to seek business opportunities in the region by using the infrastructure trust, a new vehicle for investment in overseas infrastructure projects. With intra-regional investment in infrastructure, Thailand can become a connector for fund raising of regional infrastructure projects while more product variety will serve investors better. The relevant regulations will be effective in early 2015.? 

?The SEC supports asset management companies to explore their business opportunities in offering mutual funds with a variety of investment policies such as mutual funds for education, health and post retirement to provide investors with more investment alternatives. Those mutual funds will help increase saving rate which is rooted in our country?, Vorapol said.