SECP sets up dedicated ‘corporate debt market desk’

Islamabad, Pakistan – The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has launched a dedicated Corporate Debt Market Desk aimed at bolstering the country's corporate debt market and streamlining capital raising through debt instruments. This new initiative seeks to make debt issuance more accessible, expedited, and cost-effective for both issuers and market participants.

Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has emphasized the importance of developing a robust and efficient corporate debt market to diversify long-term financing options for businesses and lessen their dependence on bank loans. To spearhead this effort, a senior SECP official has been appointed as the focal point for the desk, responsible for managing public offerings, private placements of corporate debt securities, PSX listings, Sukuk, and other Shariah-compliant debt instruments.

In line with this initiative, SECP has created a specialized Corporate Debt Market section on its website. This section offers essential legal and regulatory frameworks, market data, guidance materials, and the contact details of the designated focal person.

Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of SECP, expressed optimism that a more developed corporate debt market would contribute to diversifying long-term financing, attracting institutional investment, and supporting infrastructure and industrial growth. The establishment of this desk is part of SECP's broader reforms in the corporate debt market sector, which aim to simplify issuance procedures, cut costs, and standardize documentation to encourage greater participation from issuers and investors.