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SEC to hold ‘Investment Day’ to educate public

02 Jul 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in its endeavour to develop an efficient and effective capital market has organized “Investment Day 2013” at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre on July 6 (from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.) under the auspices of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The aim of this event is to provide knowledge and guidance on investing in the capital market and thereby create a shareholding democracy in the country. The SEC is of the view that the investing public should have the basic knowledge to invest in the capital market and is therefore committed to impart knowledge and awareness to existing and potential investors.

Over the last 12 months, the Colombo Stock Exchange has recorded a growth of 30 percent whilst the annual average return of the stock market over the last five years has been 46%. Over the last few months the stock market has grown significantly as a result of a decline in market interest rates. Many people are keen to invest in the market but lack proper knowledge to do so. “Investment Day 2013” will serve as a good platform for investors to obtain knowledge on investing in the capital market. Furthermore, less sophisticated investors will have the ability to pursue options of investing in unit trusts.

With the intention of developing the capital market the SEC formulated a Capital Market Master Plan in November last year. This Plan comprises of 10 key strategies and two of them are aimed at developing the unit trust industry and enhancing investor education. “Investment Day 2013” is expected to foster greater investor awareness on the investment opportunities available in the capital market. The event will assist potential investors to open accounts to transact in shares and unit trusts and will feature prominent professionals from the securities industry, who will address the gathering on a wide spectrum of topics throughout the day, ranging from benefits of investing in the stock market, risks associated with investing in the market and how to mitigate them and investing in the debt market in all three languages. The lectures will be conducted in an easy to understand manner to enable first time investors to derive the full benefit of the “Investment Day 2013” and be informed investors.

One of the main attributes of the event would be that participants will be able to meet the entire capital market including the Colombo Stock Exchange, Stock Broking firms, Investment Managers, Margin Providers, Listed Companies and Unit Trust Management Companies under one roof. These institutions will exhibit more than 60 stalls at the Investment Day. Investors will also be able to witness the launch of two books on investing in the capital market and obtain research reports and free brochures on investing in shares and unit trusts. Furthermore, they will get the opportunity to watch video documentaries in all three languages on investing in the capital market and win opportunities to invest in the stock market free of cost. Entrance to the Investment Day 2013 will be free-of-charge.