The volume of shares traded on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) in October has sunk to its lowest value at MMK 673.5 million with 85,630 shares exchanged, YSX’s monthly report indicated.

The government has been trying to boost participation in the YSX from the public and from institutions since its inception in 2016 but the Covid-19 pandemic has put a strong brake to it. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar (SECM) allowed foreigners to invest in the local equity market in March 2020. Foreigners hold now 55,021 shares in the equity market. YSX is also planning to establish a new Pre-Listing Board, in addition to the existing market (Main Board), with a view to increase the number of listed companies. There’s been rumors that state-owned businesses could also be listed in the future, provided they can comply with listing requirements.

At present, shares of six listed companies — First Myanmar Investment (FMI), Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings (MTSH), Myanmar Citizens Bank (MCB), First Private Bank (FPB), TMH Telecom Public Co. Ltd (TMH) and the Ever Flow River Group Public Co. Ltd (EFR) — are being traded on the main exchange.