SECP sets up dedicated ‘corporate debt market desk’

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has set up a new unit called the Corporate Debt Market Desk, according to Business Recorder, aimed at expanding how companies raise funds through debt. The regulator says the Desk will help issuers and other market players by streamlining debt issuance, speeding it up and lowering its cost.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has asked for a robust and well-functioning corporate debt market, with the goal of giving businesses a wider range of long-term funding and easing their dependence on loans from banks. A senior SECP official will act as focal person, handling public issues and private placements of debt securities, PSX listings, and Sukuk and other Shariah-compliant instruments.

A new Corporate Debt Market page on the SECP website will carry the applicable legislation and rules, market figures, guidance notes and the focal person's contact information. SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said a stronger corporate debt market would broaden long-term financing, attract institutional investment and back infrastructure and industrial expansion. The Desk is part of wider SECP reforms intended to simplify issuance, cut costs and standardise documentation so more issuers and investors take part.