Chief Minister of Kerala, Hon. Shri Oomen Chandy, rang the ‘Opening Bell’ at BSE this morning, in Mumbai, Monday, November 14, as a part of his visit to Mumbai during India Economic Summit of World Economic Forum.
It was the first ever visit by a Chief Minister of Kerala to the exchange and BSE was delighted to host him for the Opening Bell.
Kerala is a high potential state with respect to retail and institutional investments in the stock market with 11 active members with another 10 in various stages of registration. There are several stock broking offices present in almost every single city and town in Kerala which reflects the interest the people have towards the capital market.
On this occasion, BSE announced opening of its new regional office premises in Kochi. The new premises will offer investors based in South India a host of membership services across business lines, investor services and educational activities, all under one roof.
Supporting the cause of greater financial inclusion BSE has planned a comprehensive Investor Awareness Campaign across districts of Kerala. Over 56 Investor Awareness Programmes were held in Kerala and rest of the South zone this year and the new office will boost these efforts. BSE has so far conducted programs in Ernakulam, Trivandrum, Alleppy, Thrishur, Thodupuzha, Kottayam, Chitoor, and Calicut and will continue partnering with other institutions to conduct several more such programs.
With the imminent start of the BSE SME Exchange, it aims to focus on Kerala, for the development and growth of SMEs. It has been organising various activities and conducting Seminars over past few months for educating SMEs on the benefits and requirements for listing on the BSE SME Exchange.
At the Opening Bell, Shri S Ramadorai, Chairman, BSE Ltd. said, “We are delighted to have an opportunity to host Shri Chandy during his visit to Mumbai. BSE is happy to contribute towards Govt.’s objective of sustainable and inclusive growth of the Indian economy by initiating a comprehensive year-long Investor Awareness Campaign across tier-2 cities of Kerala with content delivered in Malayalam. Our new Regional Office in Kochi is also part of the strategic focus to connect and serve BSE’s large investor & member community in Southern India, which has been growing steadily. Lastly, BSE SME Exchange will allow promising enterprises from South India to access retail capital and BSE will focus on Kerala’s vibrant SME sector. Finally, the BSE Institute, through one of its partner entities is looking to work closely with the financial services sector in Kerala to help in Skill development in BFSI vertical through a Sectoral Skill Council.”
Speaking at the occasion, Shri Oomen Chandy, Hon Chief Minister of Kerala said, “I am glad to visit Asia’s first Stock Exchange that has nurtured the growth of Indian capital markets. I feel there needs to be a financial democracy in India and every Indian should look for investment avenues available across India to their and national benefit. The investor awareness programme of BSE in kerala will help in educating the Keralite investor to better understand investment opportunities and risks”
