BSE and Sibex in merger talks again

The main players on the Romanian capital market, including the representatives of CNVM, of SIFs and the leaders of the two Bourse operators, the BSE and Sibex, met in Predeal during the weekend and decided to resume the merging process.

The BSE-Sibex merger project, relinquished in 2006, was again included on the two market operators' agenda early last year, after BSE management was changed. Though everybody on the market is speaking about the need for Romania to have a single capital market, a sounder one, the completion of the merger primarily depends on the price the two sides will agree on.

Merger supporters include Daniel Ţepeş and most members of BSE's current board, who ahead of the Bourse's listing owned significant stakes in both companies. Also, SIFs have an important say, after having purchased large stakes over the past year.

Brokers say they do not see the logic of keeping two trading systems operational and the institutions related to each of them.