The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) announced the formation of a strategic partnerships with two major providers of ESG assessment scores, Germany-based Arabesque S-Ray and France-based Vigeo Eiris. The partnership will feature sustainability assessment results of Thai-listed companies, and a list of sustainable stocks, published via the SETTRADE website.

Vigeo Eiris stated that the information provided on the SETTRADE site will include:

• The overall ESG score (out of 100),
• Environment, Social and Governance scores (out of 100),
• The issuer’s overall ranking relative to the other listed Thai companies.

SET Senior Executive Vice President Rinjai Chakornpipat said:

“The ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concern is increasingly important to investors’ decisions globally, spanning Thailand these days. SET has continued to promote sustainable investing, particularly through the dissemination of sustainability information of Thai listed companies among investors, and more so with the recent “ESG Information” launch which is published on the website settrade.com.”

The ESG Information provided is aimed to enable Thai investors to access to ESG assessment results of Thai listed companies conveniently and free of charge, while offering comprehensive information reflecting companies’ growth potential and long-term corporate value. SET stated that expects this will enhance sustainability perspectives both from the Thai context and from the standpoint of world-class sustainability rating agencies.

Georg Kell, Chairman of Arabesque and the founding Executive Director of the  United Nations Global Compact, said:

“As investors around the world become increasingly aware of the importance of ESG factors, SET has shown real leadership in encouraging companies to integrate ESG in business practices, and to provide better information on sustainability issues. SET has also taken great strides in encouraging investors to consider ESG factors when making investment decisions. Thailand is today at the forefront of ESG compliance and disclosure practice, and we are delighted that Arabesque S-Ray data will be available to investors, listed companies and all stakeholders across the Thai capital market.”

Juliette Macresy, Head of Greater China and South East Asia markets, Vigeo Eiris, said:

“For over 30 years, Vigeo Eiris has been committed to the growth and development of the responsible investment industry. The agency’s Asia Pacific office was established in 2018 in Hong Kong where Vigeo Eiris is currently the leading external reviewer. Vigeo Eiris has delivered 28 Second Party Opinions in the region, 2 of which have been in Thailand. Our hope is that this partnership contributes to a constructive dialogue between market participants in Thailand  on ESG, increasing transparency, understanding and ultimately helping to deliver sustainable value to the region.”