In line with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will take effect in 2015, the Thai government aims to become center for Regional Operating Headquarter (ROH) for multinational companies who would like to setup their ROH to expand their operation within the ASEAN region or to prepare itself for the upcoming AEC. Being strategically located within the Southeast Asia region with networks of modern infrastructures, quality skilled labor, easy access to raw materials and attractive tax incentives significantly represent as a cost-effective investment for any companies who want to save costs and at the same time, still remain competitive. Government policies also contribute to Thailand’s apparent strengths in its position as a strategically located business hub and center for production and regional outsourcing.

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) act as a focal point for the investors in dealing with different government agencies by bringing together under one roof the representatives from different relevant ministries. The Thailand BOI offers assistance on applications for business licenses, factory certification, environmental impact assessments and many other matters. Besides Regional Operating Headquarter, the Board of Investment of Thailand is also promoting the following related activities with tax and non-tax incentives vary depending on the activities.

• International Procurement Offices, involving sourcing, quality control and packaging
• Trade and Investment Support Offices
• International Distribution Centers
• Distribution Centers
• Research and Development

For investors who are interested in establishing the Regional Operating Headquarter in Thailand, please visit the BOI’s website www.boi.go.th for more details on incentives and conditions in setting up a ROH. Need further assistance in setting up Regional Operating Headquarters and other business forms in Thailand, contact English speaking ThaiLawyers for business registration, license application, visa and work permit services.

The ASEAN Disclosure Standards Scheme is one of the capital market initiatives undertaken by the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) under its regional capital market integration plan (Implementation Plan) endorsed by the ASEAN Finance Ministers in April 2009 in Pattaya, Thailand. The Implementation Plan was developed to promote the development of an integrated market to achieve the goals of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2015 to form an integrated ASEAN market by 2015.

This Scheme aims to facilitate cross-border offerings of securities within the ASEAN region by harmonizing disclosure requirements and support fund-raising activity. It will also benefit ASEAN and non-ASEAN issuers who make multi-jurisdiction offerings of equity and plain debt securities within ASEAN by increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Under this Scheme, when an issuer wishes to make a multi-jurisdiction offer of securities, the issuer needs to provide only a single set of disclosure documents that comply with the ASEAN Disclosure Standards to investors in each jurisdiction.

The Scheme also bring ease and cost savings to all issuers who make multi-jurisdiction offerings of plain equity and debt securities that require the registration of prospectuses or registration statements within ASEAN. Under the framework, issuers will be required to comply with a set of common disclosure standards, known as the ASEAN Disclosure Standards which are based on standards on cross-border offerings set by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

Further details of the ASEAN Disclosure Standards Scheme and Implementation Plan are available on the ACMF website at www.theacmf.org. Interested to invest in Thailand, contact MSNA for your business needs.