Dow Jones Indexes and Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) yesterday announced that they would launch the Dow Jones Bahrain Stock Exchange Index (DJBSE) next month. The new index, which will be launched in the first week of June, will be a broad benchmark index covering all stocks listed on the BSE and available for trading. It was developed jointly by Dow Jones Indexes and the BSE, and follows Dow Jones Indexes’ transparent and rules-based index methodology.
“By enhancing the transparency of Bahrain market with the launch of DJBSE, we expect the country to become even more attractive for local, regional and foreign investors,” said Lars Hamich, managing director of STOXX Ltd., the joint venture that is responsible for Dow Jones Indexes’ business development in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
“The Dow Jones Bahrain Stock Exchange Index is a natural extension of our activities in the Gulf region to measure the performance of an Arab country,” Hamich said.
“The index will also be licensed to investment companies to be used as underlying for financial products. Dow Jones Indexes is committed to further expand its presence in this region.”
“The establishment of the Index enhances Bahrain’s position as an internationally recognised financial hub,” said BSE director Fouad Rashid. “We expect the BSE to profit from Dow Jones Indexes expertise with regard to the new index.”
“We also presume that the companies listed in the index will benefit from the enlarged exposure to the international financial market because investing in these companies is made easier and more transparent through the index,” Rashid said.
