Briefs

The Securities and Exchange and Commission (SEC) yesterday launched an “SME Bond” project, which offers additional fund-raising channels for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as special privileges until the end of this year.
The project is in collaboration with the Thai Bond Market Association, TRIS Rating, Fitch Ratings (Thailand), the Bond Electronic Exchange, the Thai Listed Companies Association, the MAI Listed Companies Association, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Limited companies or public companies established under Thai laws will be eligible, not including financial institutions or financial-service operators. The project runs from September 1 to December 28. The SEC will hold a free seminar on “Private Equity: Business Alliances for Business Growth” for SMEs on August 28 at Grand Hall, Plaza Athenee Royal Meridian Hotel on Wireless Road. Interested companies can download application forms at www.sec.or.th/smebond.

Network signs pact with UN to fight graft
The United Nations Development Programme and the Anti-Corruption Network (CAN) will sign a partnership pact today at Rangsit University’s Sathornthani Centre to promote regular dialogue and strategy on fighting corruption.
The ACN is a consortium of Thai businesspeople and more than 30 industry associations. – The Nation