The Belgrade Stock Exchange is finally waking up! By the end of the year, as many as 10 domestic private companies plan to enter the stock market with corporate bond issues worth around €250 million. Yes, you read that right — a quarter of a billion euros! This move is not just a number, but a sign that Serbia’s capital market is waking up from a deep slumber.
The Belgrade Stock Exchange plans not only to refresh its visual identity but also to modernize its technical equipment and integrate with the trading platform of the Athens Stock Exchange. Prospectuses for share issues of ten companies are expected to be published by the end of the year, which will be a real boom for the capital market in Serbia.
Ognjen Popović, Assistant Minister of Finance and a member of the stock exchange supervisory board, points out that the example of Eliksir Group, which raised €35 million this year for building a new factory, is just the beginning. Now is the time for such examples to become widespread. Besides corporate bonds, activation of the Republic of Serbia’s Shareholders’ Fund and development of ETF funds are planned, including those tracking the S&P index, gold, and even Bitcoin!
Another bombshell — one bank plans to issue bonds on the stock exchange by the end of the year, and work is underway on a municipal bond as well. Although corporate bonds are primarily intended for institutional investors, the goal is to include retail investors, which could change the game on the market.
Popović especially highlights the potential of real estate funds as a “special remedy” to attract retail investors, since Serbs love investing in “concrete” — apartments and real estate. The first draft of the law on real estate funds has already been sent to the competent authorities, and interest is huge.
The director of the Belgrade Stock Exchange, Lazo Ostojić, announces a move to new, modern premises in Belgrade, as well as a transition to a new trading platform that will enable more transparent and efficient trading, including linking with stock exchanges in Greece and Cyprus. This means investors will be able to trade not only on the Belgrade Stock Exchange but also on regional markets, which is a huge step forward.
All this sounds like the Belgrade Stock Exchange is preparing to become a true regional star, not just a local player. With planned bond issues, ETF fund development, and infrastructure modernization, Serbia could get a capital market that finally works and attracts investors.
Of course, the question remains — will the citizens of Serbia really jump on this opportunity, or will it all remain on paper? If you have an opinion, share it, because such things don’t happen every day. Maybe it’s time for you to become part of the stock market game!
In any case, the end of the year promises to be hot on the Belgrade Stock Exchange — and not just because of summer!
