The value of shares traded on the Yangon Stock Exchange (YSX) in August sank to the lowest level of MMK 747 million this year, according to YSX’s monthly report and the Global New Light of Myanmar. The trading volume also plunged to an eight-month low of 118,850 shares exchanged in August.

In a bid to try to make the stock exchange more attractive, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar (SECM) opened YSX to foreigners in March this year as the Covid-19 pandemic was already ongoing. This month YSX will organise the first Online Exhibition and Live Seminar “YSX Expo 2020” on 12th and 13th of September. The event will include live panel discussions to cover economic and investment situation, investors’ perspective amid the COVID-19 crisis and situation of foreigners’ participation in Myanmar capital market, interview talks with executives of listed companies, etc.

The YSX was launched three years ago to improve the private business sector. 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 exchange.