Myanmar set for stock exchange

Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue, Maung Maung Thein confirmed on 15 July that Myanmar will begin implementing a stock exchange market this year.

Earlier announcements state the stock exchange market will be established by 2015, but preparations are already under way.

“Earlier we planned to begin in 2015, but it would be too late. So, we are beginning this year,” says Maung Maung Thein.

The Central Bank of Myanmar is cooperating with the Daiwa Research Institute and Japan’s Tokyo Stock Exchange to establish Myanmar’s stock exchange. Later this month, Maung Maung Thein says there will be a demonstration on the operation of the stock exchange with the help of a Myanmar IT company.

According to Maung Maung Thein, the “Security Exchange Law” has been put forward to the Lower House in the current ongoing parliamentary sessions. Shortly after the bill has been approved, the stock exchange will be established.

Maung Maung Thein says a relevant committee has been formed in order to ensure a smooth launch for the stock exchange.

“Myanmar needs a huge market to attract financial investments,” says Maung Maung Thein. “Myanmar did not have that market. To establish that market [stock exchange], we have prepared for many years.”

Hla Maung, an economist, says, “It’ll be surprising if the stock exchange can be established in late this year. The sooner the better. But it is a financial market, so we need to have public companies and corporations that can sell shares. If not, the market will be weak and unsuccessful.”

Public companies that will sell shares in the stock exchange have to submit the company’s real status to the supervising committee. However, experts say this will pose a big challenge to existing Myanmar companies as they deal with problems about tax affairs.

Dr. Aung Thura, chief executive officer at Thura Swiss Company, who provides economic research services for public companies in Myanmar, recently told Mizzima, “According to Daiwa, new emerging companies such as KBZ and AGD will enter into the stock market rather than the current public companies when the stock exchange is established in Myanmar.”

Currently, only two public companies have registered at the Myanmar Security Exchange Center [MSEC]. An international economic researcher told Mizzima that if experts spread knowledge about the stock market among Myanmar citizens beforehand, it is likely that the early stage of the stock market will run smoothly.

The stock exchange will be located near Bandoola Garden, where Myawaddy Bank currently stands. The building formerly owned by the Finance and Revenue Ministry is due to be returned to them later this year.

source: Mizzima 

http://www.mizzima.com/business/economy/9697-myanmar-set-for-stock-exchange