August 10: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), the one and only securities market operator in Nepal so far, has given special priority to system development and management in this year's policy and programmes. This year, NEPSE will conduct various programs under the headings of system development and management, staff and organization management, capital market awareness, physical infrastructure development and office management, along with strengthening institutional governance, study research, business monitoring and supervision; regulation and formulation of procedure; and risk management and compliance.

NEPSE, which is providing an opportunity for all Nepalis to do business in the secondary market easily from all over the world through online technology, has put forward a plan to buy tested online trading software of international standard for system development this year. This year's policy and program of NEPSE also includes the plan to renew the software used by Nepse, and to sign to an annual maintenance contract for the maintenance of hardware, website, power system and other services.

NEPSE also plans to buy necessary licenses, software, and hardware for the operation of office equipment along with a program of building a new data center this year.

Information Officer Murahari Parajuli says that the number of Demat account openings has reached more than 5.8 million and more than 1.6 million investors have participated in the securities market trading.

Parajuli also informed that NEPSE is planning to finalize the plan to issue IPO. According to Parajuli, the IPO will be issued after receiving approval from the Ministry of Finance. At present, the paid-up capital of NEPSE is Rs 500 million.

The Securities Board of Nepal is preparing to issue license to a new stock exchange with paid-up capital of Rs 3 billion.

Although it is not mandatory for NEPSE to increase its paid-up capital, it wants to issue IPO to remain competitive in the market.