The Tribune

The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) last week celebrated 20 years since it began electronic trading on May 12, 2000, as a “proud day” that signals it has become a key part of the “financial landscape”.

Incorporated on September 23, 1999, BISX said it was created with the aim of further developing the Bahamian capital markets through a regulated trading platform that would replace the previous over-the-counter system.

BISX’s chairman, Andrew Strachan, said of the 20th anniversary: “Building an exchange isn’t done in a day. Rather, it’s a generational project that involves education of all stakeholders - from regulators to issuers to brokers and, most importantly, to investors.

“I am proud of the first 20 years of BISX as a part of the capital markets infrastructure of The Bahamas. I am even more so excited when I think of the potential avenues of growth for both the Bahamian capital markets and BISX in the next 20 years.”

Ian Fair, BISX’s founding chairman and still a director, added: “I am truly proud of what has been accomplished by the stakeholders and staff of BISX over the past 20 years. While the path has not always been plain sailing and has had its challenges, we have endured and our growth has resulted in an organisation that is now a national institution and a key part of our financial landscape. I’m pleased to observe this historic moment and am grateful to all of the persons that have contributed to the exchange reaching this point.”

Keith Davies, BISX’s chief executive, said: “This is a proud day for BISX to reach this milestone. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic pain that this has caused around The Bahamas, we will observe this milestone through charitable giving to our community.

“At this time in our nation’s life, helping our fellow Bahamians is more important than any form of celebration. Nevertheless, on behalf of the BISX Board, myself and the BISX staff, I wish to thank all stakeholders - especially the Bahamian investing public - for their faith over the first 20 years. I look forward to BISX continuing to provide financial market innovation, regulation and price discovery going forward.”

BISX has switched to a 20-year anniversary logo to mark its milestone.