By Gokhan Kurtaran
LONDON
“From the investment point of view, looking at our international clients database, there is indeed a lot of interest in investing in Turkey, a London Stock Exchange official said on Friday.
In an interview with The Anadolu Agency's London bureau, Nicolas Bertrand noted that, in the emerging markets space, Turkey's geographical location, and particularly its demographics are interesting.
Borsa Istanbul, Turkey’s main stock exchange, on Tuesday signed a deal allowing the London Stock Exchange to list futures and options based on the BIST 30 Index and on leading Turkish stocks. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
Nicholas Bertrand said the partnership would be able to help Borsa Istanbul to develop the reach of their market and to accelerate the pace of development.
He said: “The final objective of this agreement is to enhance the liquidity and reach of Turkish exchange to international community.”
“I think the international network of the London Stock Exchange can bring a lot to Borsa Istanbul, particularly in the field of index derivatives, the centerpiece of this agreement, where the listings of futures and options on the BIST-30 could become more accessible internationally. That will increase European liquidity on those products and will enhance the reach of the Turkish market in general.”
Bertrand said the agreement does not include listing any Turkish firms.
“We are expecting that to happen in the course of the second semester. I think this range of products is currently what we see the attracting the most interest at the moment from our clients. And then we will work with Borsa İstanbul to further develop derivative products, moving into other derivative products,” he added.
Bertrand went on to praise the Turkish economy: “Turkey is a developing market which is really successful as it developed at a very fast pace.” Bertrand hoped that increased access to international investors would help increase that pace.
