Both SWIFT and ETDA recognise the increased use of technology in the financial markets of Thailand and ASEAN and the role that technology plays as a tool for economic empowerment. As the ASEAN Economic Community moves toward regional economic integration in 2015, it requires the broader financial market to share a comprehensive set of open market message standards and a highly secure and standardised platform of communication. The ISO 20022 standard is founded on international best practices for domestic and cross border transactions in payments, securities and trade related payment transactions. ISO 20022 adoption is viewed as a key driver to enable the successful integration and continued growth of financial markets in Thailand and ASEAN.

The strategic collaboration between SWIFT and ETDA aims at building the Thailand and ASEAN financial community through promoting ISO 20022, sharing best practices and enhancing operational efficiency by way of cooperation, technical assistance and information sharing.

Khun Surangkana Wayuparb, CEO of ETDA stated that: "SWIFT's intervention at this point in time is much needed for Thailand now and eventually for ASEAN in 2015 and beyond. We are promoting the use and adoption of the National Payment Message Standard or NPMS in the Thai financial industry, based on the ISO 20022 standard. In this connection, an expert group, called Thailand Payment Market Group, is being set up to develop the NPMS and to ensure compliance with CGI templates and the ISO 20022 standard. SWIFT's expert guidance and invaluable assistance in both these activities will be a deciding factor in the success or failure of our undertaking and for that matter of Thailand and ASEAN. In Thailand, the ETDA seeks to enhance and expand technical innovation, standardisation and plans to support industry initiatives to address the technological needs of the growing local and regional financial community."

In ASEAN, SWIFT has been working closely with the financial industry and government authorities to internationalise and standardise financial messaging and connectivity.

Alain Raes, Chief Executive, Asia Pacific & EMEA, SWIFT, said: "We at SWIFT are very pleased to have this collaborative arrangement with the ETDA and are committed to contributing to the future of Thailand's financial sector and the role it plays in this vibrant and growing economy and region. Thailand's pioneering outlook will help pave the way for each ASEAN market to play its role in strengthening domestic and regional financial systems, creating a robust and internationally accessible regional financial infrastructure. Our global presence and expansive experience and the ETDA's developmental objectives and unique mandate are undoubtedly a strong combination to lead the current transformation efforts. Our collective commitment to Thailand and to the ASEAN financial community stands firm."