In 2024, eight Central and Eastern European stock exchanges - Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Bulgarian, Ljubljana, Macedonian, Warsaw and Zagreb Stock Exchange - in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, highlighting the importance of strengthening regional capital markets and accelerating their development through closer cooperation.
As part of the European Commission’s public consultation on the Savings and Investments Union (SIU) and the Market Integration and Supervision Package (MISP), the signatory exchanges submitted a joint position paper emphasising a common regional perspective.
The exchanges underline that the development of capital markets is closely linked to the development of national economies and their competitive advantages. Well-functioning and regulated capital markets play a key role in mobilising savings, financing innovation and supporting long-term economic growth. Small and mid-sized markets have a particularly important role in financing SMEs, building a domestic investor base and fostering a long-term investment culture.
In addition, regulated markets ensure transparency, strengthen investor confidence and contribute to efficient price formation - all essential for channeling savings into productive investments. At the same time, Europe’s capital market must be inclusive and work for all, regardless of market size, liquidity levels or stage of development.
