The Gia Lai Sugar Thermoelectricity Joint-Stock Company (SEC) was listed on the HCM Stock Exchange on January 6.

The Central highlands-based company closed on its first trading day at 21,600 VND (1.17 USD), a 20 percent increase against its reference price of 18,000 VND.

Foreign investors have not yet bought any stake in the company, which has more than 12.6 million shares.

SEC enjoyed a net profit of 36 billion VND in the first quarter of 2009 which is expected to reach a total of more than 38.3 billion VND by year-end. It earned 42 billion VND in 2008, up from 18.7 billion VND in 2007.

The company set a target of 54 billion VND in profits this year, as next month it will complete production capacity upgrades to handle 2,500 tonnes of sugar cane per day from the current 1,500 tonnes.

From February, the company will start its 233 billion VND, 12MW thermopower plant.

The Tien Giang province-based seafood processing firm Go Dang Joint Stock Company (AGD) will register on the bourse on Jan. 7./.