December 2016 | Business View Caribbean

52 53 We want the companies who would be list- ing sponsors to benefit from the listings they throw our way– the target for the next 12 to 18 months is at least 150-200 companies listed. As time goes on, we will expand the number of listing sponsors to the ISM. But they won’t do this unless they see the business come in.” While Yarde says that one of BSE’s goals is to take advantage of the international market, it still intends to focus on the local one. Currently, 25 local companies are listed on BSE’s regular and junior markets. “We want to create opportu- nities to invest by having more securities listed on our board,” he says. “We approached our Ministry of Finance as it relates to developing incentives for small to medium-sized enterpris- es to list, first on our junior market, and, as they develop, migrate to the regular market.We’ ve been talking to government officials about what we can do to encourage more companies to list and raise capital in our market as op- posed to focusing only on bank financing.” In addition to listing more companies on the Exchange, Yarde also wants to get more institu- tional investors, such as pension funds and in- surance companies, as well as more individuals, involved in investing. “We want to create more opportunities for individuals to create wealth for themselves and plan for their retirement,” he states. “At the same time, pension funds and insurance companies are always looking for investments to provide for their long-term pen- BARBADOS STOCK EXCHANGE sioners and their equity holders. So, it would be a mix of both. But I really want to get more individuals involved in the marketplace. That is the goal.” Yarde believes that Barbados is an excellent place in which to do business. “The Barbados jurisdiction is a sound one,” he declares. “Our regulator, the Financial Services Commission, is a member of IOSCO (International Organi- zation of Securities Commissions), so inter- national best practices prevail in our market. We have the infrastructure, we have the tele- communications, we have the international business connections for persons who are doing business here to do so, comfortably. The standard of living is high; security and safety is paramount. The rule of law and property rights are well-established, so when you’re FGC Services Ltd. (“FGC”) is pleased to be a Listing Sponsor for the International Securities Market (“ISM”) of the Barbados Stock Exchange (“BSE”). FGC provides assistance to companies which wish to list on the ISM to structure and conduct their business from Barbados. We provide services which include the following: n Advice to the potential issuer on the application process, listing requirements and obligations under the ISM rules; n Acting as the primary point of contact with the BSE on behalf of the potential issuer/listed entity; and n Advice and assistance in connection with ongoing regulatory filings and compliance on behalf the listed entity. FGC FGC SERVICES LTD. PARKER HOUSE, WILDEY BUSINESS PARK WILDEY ROAD, ST. MICHAEL, BARBADOS Email: gillian.clarke@clarkes.com.bb, debbie.fraser@clarkes.com.bb or nicola.berry@clarkes.com.bb PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION AT: