Bangkok, Thailand — The Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (SEC Thailand) has collaborated with the CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand to host a recent seminar series, with the theme of harmonizing ESG factors within the investment landscape of Thailand. The seminar was conducted on 04 November 2024, where industry practitioners focused on acquiring knowledge to better their ESG skills in investment analysis and consulting.
There were, however two seminars tailored distinctly for the segments of the financial community: “Analysts Workshop: The Impact of Sustainability Issues on Valuation and Performance” for investment analysts; and “Navigating the Future of Investing in the Time of Sustainability: A Paradigm Shift in the Roles of Investment Consultants? ” for investment consultants.
It was made clear in both sessions that ESG considerations are relevant to the operations of a corporation, financial valuation, and the investment environment broadly considered, with long-term performance and sustainable value creation at the heart of attention.
Opening speeches were presented by Mrs. Charuphan Intararoong, Assistant Secretary-General of SEC Thailand. She also underlined the role of ESG in building resilience in the market and increasing investor confidence. For the SEC, it has to provide and equip the Thai financial professionals with necessary know-how in ESG matters combined with the appropriate tools for analysis, thus preparing Thailand’s financial professionals to adopt the evolving landscape of responsible investing. The seminars targeted the new commitment towards sustainability by SEC Thailand more resilient and responsible capital markets. About 200 executives, analysts, and consultants from the wide capital markets of Thailand were attracted to the two seminars.
Mrs. Charuphan thanked Mr. Richard McGillivray, Senior Director of Product Advocacy and Education for Asia Pacific at the CFA Institute, whose input in the event was immense through leading workshops and case studies that engaged participants into active learning and discussion. Speaking on ESG, Mr. McGillivray highlighted how ESG is now globally accepted to impact performance and profitability of a company. Thus he quoted, “Environmental, Social, and Governance issues affect the performance and profitability of companies. Sustainable considerations in investment analysis and decision-making are gaining increasing relevance all over the world.”.
CFA Institute, he said, is devoted to ethics and professional standards for the investment industry, such as the understanding, identification, and integration of material sustainability factors into analysis and investment decisions. He said that this collaborative platform given by SEC Thailand and CFA Institute allows professionals to share insights, brainstorm on challenges, and strategize for better usage of ESG disclosures and sustainability data while assessing asset value and performance. Kingpai Koosakulnirund, the VP of CFA Society Thailand, expressed his approval of the developments seen so far in Thailand’s capital market towards ESG disclosure and reporting. According to him, investment analysts are increasingly becoming a crucial player who integrates ESG-related information in their analysis. “Investment analysts are playing the next vital role by integrating ESG-related information into their analysis,” said Mr. Koosakulnirund.
Since the practice of integration of ESG factors into investment analysis and valuation is relatively very new, a practical workshop makes an ideal starting point for investment analysts. This seminar series interactively utilized workshops and case studies, and placed a good foundation for investment professionals in Thailand in the paradigm shift in sustainable investing. This ESG training shown by the SEC Thailand embodies a proactive approach toward creating a sustainable capital market that would be better positioned to face the challenges this rapidly changing global landscape portends. This effort therefore is an articulation of Thailand’s commitment to ESG and a strong example for capital markets around the Asia-Pacific.