TPEx Business Report 2024

Part 1 - Major Achievements

A. Promoted new companies to the TPEx multi-tiered market

There were 39 new applicants for listing on the TPEx Main Board, 92 for registration on the Emerging Stock Board (ESB), and a total of 54 companies that applied for GISA registration or counseling services.
As for the new entrants in 2024, 14 applicants for listing on the TPEx Main Board, 41 for registration on the Emerging Stock Market, and 32 for registration on GISA or counseling services , all belonged to significant industries designated by the government, totaling 87 companies.
TPEx visited 142 companies and held 28 seminars for both domestic and foreign companies to promote listing or registration on TPEx markets. Moreover, 53 GISA-related promotion activities were held or involved by TPEx.
TPEx continued to encourage TPEx listing applicants to promote and emphasize sustainable development.

B. Continuously promote the sustainable development of the companies and build an ESG ecosystem in the capital market

Enhanced the content of sustainability information disclosure, including revising relevant regulations to expand the scope of sustainability disclosures, conducting spot checks on sustainability reports.
Organized multiple sessions or conferences on sustainability-related topics, including internal control system of the Management of Sustainability information, the preparation of sustainability reports, the implementation plan for IFRS sustainability Disclosure Standards, practical Workshops on Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and Sustainability Development Committee and Chief Sustainability Officer Forum. Additionally, collaborate with the Taiwan Stock Exchange to announce “Sample Template for XXX Co., Ltd. Sustainable Development Committee Charter”.
Revised the “Taipei Exchange Rules Governing the Review of Emerging Stocks for Trading on the TPEx“ and its attachment to promote the adoption of a candidate nomination system for the election of directors in emerging Stock Board companies.
Collaborated with the Taiwan Stock Exchange to build an ESG digital platform to expand the ESG database. The first phase has been completed, including the disclosure of 'Corporate ESG Information,' 'Sustainability Reports,' 'Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Information,' and 'Sustainable Economic Activity Questionnaires.
TPEx has launched the TPEx Portal website, which includes an information platform with seven thematic tabs, such as the 'ESG Information Platform.' The website helps investors and enterprises more easily understand and use ESG-related information and improves the efficiency of searching for TPEx Mainboard companies' business and related information. Additionally, the 'ESG Section' on the official website has been integrated with the 'Sustainable Development Bonds Section,' ' ECO-Fin,' and 'IFRS Sustainable Disclosure Standards Section' into a 'Sustainability Development Area,' allowing market participants to quickly and conveniently access sustainability-related information.
In response to the trend of ESG sustainable development, TPEx continued to collect the dynamic trends of sustainable development of foreign exchanges and improve it’s own sustainable practices. Additionally, TPEx strengthened the quality of its sustainability report and annual GHG inventory, which received an accountant’s assurance report.

C. In line with ESG strategies and sustainable development, promoted Sustainable Bond Market

In 2024, a total of 53 sustainable bonds were issued and listed on the TPEx, including 32 green bonds, 9 sustainability bonds, 11 social bonds, and 1 sustainability-linked bond, with a total issuance value of NT$149.185 billion.
To promote the concept of green and sustainable investment and financing, in 2024, a total of 21 media and press releases were issued. Additionally, visits were made to 53 potential issuers, investors, and underwriters. Furthermore, 26 promotional events were held.
Continuing to align Taiwan's sustainable development bond market with international markets, and in response to global sustainability trends and market demand, a "Study on the Development of the Transition Bond Market and the Feasibility of Listing" has been completed and submitted to the regulatory authorities.

D. Promoted the bond market, new trading mechanism, and the diversification of investment products or services.

Continued to track the performance of the market makers for TPEx listed stocks.
Signed an index co-branding agreement with ICE Data Indices, LLC and continued to explore the development of indices that align with market trends and demands.
Starting from May 1, 2024, securities brokers are allowed to accept commission for the buying and selling of securities from an offshore overseas Chinese or foreign national. The custodial institution may, based on the client's instructions and the broker's notification, implement flexible measures to hold the funds and securities in custody.
To attract more international capital into Taiwan's stock market and create a more favorable investment environment for foreign investors, starting from December 2, 2024, securities firms will be allowed to conduct "net settlement with custodians," and from February 24, 2025, foreign institutional investors will be permitted to designate two or more custodians.

E. Enforced securities market information security supervision and enhance cyber resilience.

Assisted securities firms to incorporate actual business operation verification into their off-site backup drills.
Run drills to ensure the continuous operation of information systems.
TPEx has held a chief information security officer liaison meeting for the securities and futures sector.
Strengthened information security inspections of securities firms.

F. Leveraging big data tools and supervisory technology to improve market management efficiency

Developed a Big Data Warehouse.
Implemented big data application case studies and related information tasks.
TPEx made good use of digital technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and visual data analysis tools to improve management efficiency.
Integrated resources from Securities and Futures Periphery to establish a sharing mechanism to enhance regulatory effectiveness.

G. Promote the sustainable development transformation of securities firms

Hold promotional seminars.
Promote the regular reporting to the board of directors by securities firms with a capital of less than NT$20 billion on matters related to sustainable development and the implementation of such matters.
Promote securities firms with a capital of less than NT$40 billion to obtain third-party information security verification and encourage information security personnel to obtain international or professional licenses.
Promote securities firms to prepare and publish sustainability reports and sustainability indicators on schedule.
Promote securities firm (stand-alone) or the integrated securities firm that is a subsidiary of a TWSE listed or TPEx listed company with a capital of NT$100 billion or more to conduct assurance of carbon inventory-related information.
Propagandized the securities firms to fulfill their responsibility of assisting TPEx listing applicants to promote and emphasize sustainable development.

Part 2 - Other Important Measures

TPEx enhanced the quality of IPO cases and assist high-quality domestic and foreign enterprises to engage in the TPEx market.
TPEx advanced the Go Incubation Board for Startup and Acceleration Firms (GISA) and related businesses.
TPEx promoted corporate governance and enhanced market supervision mechanism to safeguard the interests of investors.
TPEx enhanced the trading and settlement mechanism for TPEx-listed stocks and emerging stocks, and promoted diversification of financial products.
TPEx strengthened market surveillance function and strictly crack down on illegal trading behavior.
TPEx promoted bond market development.
TPEx developed the OTC derivatives market.
TPEx strengthened the auditing and supervision over securities firms and leveraged transaction merchants.
TPEx maintained and enhanced the efficiency, security, and stability of TPEx’s trading systems.
TPEx promoted international communication and cooperation, and enhanced marketing promotion and financial literacy education.
TPEx responded to significant or abrupt events, strengthened risk management, and ensured the effective continuity of operations.