ZAGREB, 21 June (Hina) - The headquarters of a new company tasked with coordinating and overseeing the integration of stock exchanges across Central and South‑East Europe will be located in Zagreb, the Croatian finance ministry and the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) announced.

This initiative encompasses Slovenia, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, North Macedonia and Croatia, with Croatia leading the effort.

It represents a step forward to enhancing financial connectivity among these countries, increasing capital market liquidity, and creating a stronger investment environment in this part of Europe. The step follows last November’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among eight national stock exchanges.

Strategic Framework for Capital Market Development

Regional integration is one of the five strategic directions outlined in the Strategic Framework for Capital Market Development, adopted by the Croatian government in late March.

As part of this framework, Croatia will host the central body playing a key role in the future development of an integrated capital market in the region.

The ministry states  that they will continue working together on this process with the aim of easing market access, attracting investor attention, enhancing Croatia’s international financial reputation, and addressing existing mismatches by harmonising the regulatory conditions across all participating exchanges.

"We have secured political support and cooperation readiness for this initiative in all the countries involved, which will be formalised by the signing of Memoranda of Understanding by the finance ministries of the participating states. This will be a historic step in this field, confirming our shared political will and commitment to reforms that will enable a stronger, more efficient and competitive capital market in this part of Europe, to the benefit of all participating countries," stated the ministry.