FEAS Yearbook FEAS Yearbook 2003 | Page 60

KYRGYZ STOCK EXCHANGE In 2003 there were many events worth special attention as they have significantly expanded the prospects for the development of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE). Amangeldy Muraliyev President New rules for trades complying with the higher technical capabilities of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange were adopted in October 2003. In May 2003 we switched to a modernized software product, and the qualitative level of our services has increased as a result. The introduction of the new automated trading system became a reality due to the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange’s use of a similar software product. Following this, new rules for trades complying with the higher technical capabilities of the KSE were adopted in October 2003. During the past year we continued work within the project to circulate state securities through the KSE, although for a series of unbiased reasons the given project has not been completed and is to be continued in 2004. It is assumed that state coupon bonds, with an average term of circulation designated specially for the given project, will soon be issued, and some Kyrgyz commercial banks will start operating in the market along with brokerage institutions. The facilitation of the new Law on Joint Stock Companies was one of the most significant events affecting the KSE in 2003. This event can be partially merited to the specialists of the KSE who had been actively participating in the drafting and consideration of the law in 2002. With the adoption of the given law, Kyrgyzstan entered a new phase of corporate governance development. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT FUTURE OUTLOOK The Kyrgyz Stock Exchange (KSE) was founded in 1994. The official opening and the first trade in stocks took place in May 1995, while a privatization process was in full swing in our country. Priorities for our Exchange in 2004 are: At the initial stage of its existence and up until 2000, the KSE had functioned as a non-profit organization with a total membership of 16. In May 2000 the KSE was transformed into a joint-stock company; simultaneously we acquired one of the largest shareholders and a reliable partner in the Istanbul Stock Exchange, which has actively assisted us in improving our activities. In 2001 the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange became a shareholder allowing the KSE to significantly increase its technical software potential. At present the KSE is a closed-type non-profit joint-stock company with 17 shareholders and 10 members. A significant contribution has been made by the US Agency on International Development (USAID) for the sake of our continued development. Thanks to the USAID, the KSE has obtained powerful financial support that has allowed our Exchange to become independent. FEDERATION OF EURO-ASIAN STOCK EXCHANGES YEARBOOK 2003/2004 PAGE 58 • establishment of remote access with brokerage companies; • introduction of a cryptographic information defense system to be used in the process of trading; • application of further efforts to expand the range of financial instruments traded through the Exchange; • implementation of new forms and methods of information disclosure to secure transparent operation of listed companies; and • formation of services on the state securities market.