By James A. Loyola

Unicapital Group, one of the leading investment houses in the Philippines, has signed a memorandum of understanding with KTB Securities (Thailand) Public Company Limited (KTBST).

The MOU will allow the two firms to pursue their objective of expanding market collaborations between Thai and Philippine investors in investment banking and investing in the stock market.

The partnership focuses on three possible areas involving public fund-raising transactions from institutional clients in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), including equity stocks, fixed income, and mutual funds.

It will also focus on dual-listing on the PSE and SET and cooperation in the establishment of infrastructure funds of interested assets or projects in both countries, such as geothermal power plants.

“KTBST and Unicapital’s partnership is envisioned to bring companies to public listings in Manila and Bangkok, or cross listings in both markets in line with the ASEAN thrust to foster greater capital mobility between ASEAN member countries,” said Unicapital Group CEO Jaime J. Martirez.

He said “mergers and acquisitions in Thailand, the Philippines, and even around the region with the ASEAN integration soon to be a reality are the opportunities that make this partnership truly exciting.”

KTBST Executive Chairman Dr. Win Udomrachtavanich, Ph.D. said they decided to collaborate with Unicapital because both companies have an independent organization structure in which neither are subsidiaries of any commercial bank.