WFE Convenes Exchange Industry at Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur

Last week, the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the global industry group for exchanges and Central Clearing Counterparties (CCPs), had its 63rd General Assembly and Annual Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by Bursa Malaysia. Industry leaders, policymakers, and buy-side experts all came together to discuss where the exchange industry is headed and how we can tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The event kicked off with a joint dialogue between WFE members and the Securities Commission Malaysia, with over 100 senior regulators in attendance, including representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand, and Dubai Financial Services Authority. Leaders from exchanges like TMX Group, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, and Nasdaq were also present. The dialogue covered important topics such as the interplay between private and public markets, sustainable finance, and the impact of emerging technologies on market structure.

Day 2 saw the 63rd General Assembly of the WFE, where seven Directors of the Board were elected for a three-year term. Some of the notable names include Gilson Finkelsztain from B3, Carlson Tong from Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKEX), and Julie Becker from Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The conference was opened by Nandini Sukumar, CEO of the WFE, who expressed gratitude to the stakeholders in attendance and highlighted the importance of capital market development in driving economic growth.

During the event, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to creating a vibrant and dynamic capital market, welcoming global leaders to participate in the country’s economic resurgence. Other sessions featured discussions on market infrastructure and the importance of public markets in facilitating capital-raising for businesses.

The event also included panels on competition between exchanges and the challenges they face from other sources of finance. Leaders from exchanges in Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Canada shared insights on working with regulators to encourage listings and protect investors. Khalid Abdullah Alhussan of the Saudi Tadawul Group discussed the success of Nomu, a platform for SMEs, and how collaboration with regulators helped grow their listings pipeline.

Overall, the WFE General Assembly and Annual Meeting was a platform for global leaders to come together, share insights, and strategize on shaping the future of the exchange industry. It was a testament to the importance of collaboration and innovation in ensuring fair, efficient, and transparent markets for all participants.