Liquidnet, the global institutional trading network, has expanded into the Thai market following client demand for access to emerging markets in Southeast Asia.
Lee Porter, head of Asia Pacific for Liquidnet, says clients are seeking new investment opportunities with higher growth potential.
"The launch follows Liquidnet successfully opening up trading in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, which have provided investors access to large blocks of natural liquidity," he says.
Thailand's equity market was the best performing market in Asia in 2012, and the country's GDP grew 6.4% in the year, Liquidnet notes. The government has boosted infrastructure spending as domestic consumption and private sector investment have risen.
"Thailand is another milestone for Liquidnet as we celebrate our fifth anniversary in Asia, highlighting our ongoing growth, particularly in emerging markets," Porter says.
Liquidnet offers access to more than 70% of the world's exchange-listed public companies. In Asia Pacific particularly, volumes on Liquidnet reached $5 billion in the first quarter this year.