Its current trading session — one of the shortest in Asia — lasts 2 1/2 hours until noon, followed by a 10-minute run-off period.

Starting October 1, trading will be up to 1 p.m. (0500 GMT).

By January 2012, afternoon session will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (0530 GMT to 0730 GMT).

PSE President Hans Sicat said the move also will boost liquidity as it enhances investors’ ability to react to market developments in different time zones and signals the local market’s readiness to take off.

A regional network linking the bourses of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines is set to be launched in March 2012.