Chaired by ESCA, IOSCO's GEMC publishes a report on the development of emerging capital markets and puts forward key recommendations and solutions to increase liquidity and support growth

The Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEMC)—the largest committee within the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)—chaired by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (ESCA) published a report examining the challenges and opportunities that Emerging Markets jurisdictions (EMs) face when developing their capital markets as key drivers of economic growth and financial resilience and inclusion.

IOSCO has contributed this report to the G20 International Financial Architecture Working Group program for 2020.

In this context, Dr. Obaid Al Zaabi, the GEMC Chair and CEO of the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), said: "Financial markets face continuous challenges arising from new financial products and the growing use of financial technologies. As a result, EMs must learn to adapt quickly to new challenges that affect their capital markets. This report suggests some insightful recommendations that GEMC members are encouraged to consider when seeking to strengthen their markets."

Mr. Paul Andrews, the IOSCO Secretary General, said: "This report, which is an IOSCO deliverable to the G20, embodies our efforts to foster sound and resilient capital markets in EMs that can play a key role in supporting their economies. This report also aims at incentivizing EMs to take advantage of new opportunities that arise, including things such as Fintech and sustainable finance, to develop their markets."

The report, Development of Emerging Capital Markets: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions, provides a summary of the GEMC's extensive work on different aspects of market development, from corporate governance and regulatory frameworks to corporate bond markets and market liquidity. It also highlights the main challenges faced by EMs in implementing international standards and the role of capacity building. In addition to these areas, the report explores further opportunities offered by sustainable finance and Fintech for developing EMs.

The report also analyses the preliminary impact of COVID-19 on EMs focusing on the capital outflows and the operational resilience of these markets during the pandemic. Its analysis highlights the need for capital markets to function efficiently during the current crisis to support the real economy.

The G20 Working Group program aims to develop domestic capital markets to support growth and enhance financial resilience, particularly in EMs jurisdictions.

The report suggests that deep, liquid, and well-regulated capital markets are instrumental in financing the economy and creating a thriving private sector. While EMs are heterogeneous in nature, they share characteristics that may impede the development of sound capital markets.

In the report, the GEMC explores some of these gaps or impediments to creating sound capital markets and how they can be addressed.

While recognizing there is 'no one size fits all' approach to capital markets development, the report sets forth five key recommendations to assist EMs in deepening their capital markets.