PNGX Markets Limited (PNGX), Papua New Guinea’s national stock exchange and the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate on the development of their capital markets.
The milestone signing of the MoU was undertaken in a ceremony in Suva by PNGX chairperson, David Lawrence and SPX chairperson, Dr Nur Bano Ali.
Mr Lawrence said the opportunities for harmonisation presented by PNGX and SPX working together are substantial for both organisations and their capital markets.
“The value generated by both organisations co-operating to mobilise capital in the region can exceed the value of each working individually. We are looking forward to the prospects this MoU presents for PNGX and SPX to work together.”
Dr Bano Ali said the signing of the MoU is a major development achievement for SPX, in particular with regards to its strategic objective focused on regional expansion as an avenue for further growth.
“This alliance between the two Exchanges within the South Pacific region will certainly establish a framework for collaboration inaugurating a pathway towards the success of both institutions.
“SPX is a progressive organisation and our intention is to optimise our operational capacity which we believe can be significantly enhanced through fostering professional relationships with institutions with similar intent.”
The MoU with PNGX is the third engagement by SPX with another stock exchange as similar MoU’s have been signed with Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) earlier in 2019.
Dr Bano Ali said SPX will continue to work in tandem with these institutions to capitalise on the opportunities available and certainly looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with these institutions.
The areas of cooperation which PNGX and SPX have identified regarding the development of their respective capital markets include dual listing of securities, cross-border trading arrangements, mutual recognition and access of stockbrokers to each other’s markets, collaboration regarding mutually beneficial trading, clearing, settlement and registration technology infrastructure platforms, investor and corporate education, rules frameworks and general market development and to generally facilitate a broader range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors in the Pacific region.