The stock exchange opened today's session with an official ceremony. Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski rang the bourse bell to mark the start not only of today's trade but of a new period for the local market.

Profit.bg asked Bistra Ilkova what are the factors that can bring foreign investors to BSE now when the market is more open.

Mrs. Ilkova said that there are several things that may attract foreign investors, such as tax concessions and business plans in Bulgaria.

Asked whether any bills regarding tax concessions for stock exchange operations are to be passed in Parliament soon, Mrs. Ilkova said there are no such plans yet.

Bistra Ilkova said that there is no problem for companies to be listed on both BSE and another capital market. If for example, a company listed on BSE, wants to trade 15% of its capital on BSE, Central Depository will just suspend the rest of the capital. Central Depository and the Romanian stock exchange are working in good cooperation, Ilkova added.

Asked whether BSE can rely on the government's support for establishing a stronger position in the region, B. Ilkova said that so far the bourse's management has always found support from politicians and she expects this to continue in the future. She also pointed out that the issue of ownership, in relation to obtaining a regional bourse operator, is not the most important one when we talk about global cooperation and unions.

Photo: Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and BSE executive director Bistra Ilkova