New regulations at the Bahrain Stock Exchange, which will require publicly listed companies to provide more information about their financial performance, management changes and any other procedures that would affect their share prices, are designed to encourage investor confidence, say bourse officials. The regulations will be implemented by the end of the year.
BSE director Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa declared that this steps will address all stock market instruments and companies, including initial public offerings (IPO). He expects that these changes will further develop the stock market regulatory capability.
The changes still await legal approval, but the BSE has already notified the listed companies that they should be prepared for the new requirements. BSE officials point out that the regulations are in line with international standards and practices.
Last November, the BSE already introduced a new measure that forces listed companies to release their financial results 90 days from the end of their financial year, instead of 180 days as was previously required
The BSE’s market capitalization is $7.6 billion, with 41 companies, 35 funds and four bonds listed.– (Albawaba-MEBG)
