What more can be done to take the market forward?

THE changes proposed by the Singapore Exchange (SGX) earlier this week to give greater flexibility to trading representatives (TRs) and broking firms in running their businesses are welcome and should go some way in addressing criticism that the market here is over-regulated with too many stifling rules.

If implemented in their entirety, the changes will hopefully yield the desired outcomes of higher investor participation and the entrance of TRs equipped with the skills needed to survive in an increasingly difficult marketplace.

However, making life easier for stockbrokers to conduct their business is only half the story. Arguably, even more important is the other half, namely that new TRs and investors must be presented with an investment-worthy market to sustain their interest.