A new small-and-medium-enterprises (SME) exchange platform shall be launched by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) soon. This will be done on or before second half of 2011 as stated by a senior exchange official.

Application for SEBI’s license has been made and approval is expected soon. The new SME exchange will be up and running by second- half of this year if all clearances are achieved as stated by Madhu Kannan, BSE’s Managing Director and CEO talked about this possibility.

Separate platform is required to help SMEs raise money from the market. National Stock Exchange (NSE) and privately-promoted MCX SX are also seeking permission from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch SME exchanges. The previous year, market regulators have already set the stage for small and medium enterprises to list on SME exchanges.

Kannan, says, “We are ready with all necessary infrastructure to launch the exchange. We are also in talks with some merchant bankers and brokers for their feedback.”