SECP’s role in developing framework

KSE MD lauds commission’s progress.

KARACHI: The unanimously approved amendment to the securities bill proposed by a Senate panel on Tuesday will give powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to provide criteria for licensing of market intermediaries including the stock exchanges.

In a response to this, Karachi Stock Exchange Managing Director Nadeem Naqvi said in a press release that the SECP has taken a lead in not only strengthening the regulatory framework that protects investor interest, but it also launches initiatives to broaden the reach of capital market investment in the country.

The SECP has pushed forward with the launch of SME segments in addition to launching products such as the Real Estate Investment Trusts and government debt securities secondary market trading.

They approved SME regulations for the Islamabad Stock Exchange in 2014 and have recently approved SME regulations for the Karachi Stock Exchange. A draft regulatory framework for private equity has also been placed for public comment.

The release added that these initiatives can lead to a quantum increase in opportunity for small and medium businesses.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  6^th,  2015.

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