Portuguese SMEs should look to capital markets as alternative source of financing
Lisbon – 26 September 2013– Today, NYSE Euronext Lisbon (Portuguese Stock Exchange) and the Associação Têxtil e Vestuário de Portugal (ATP, the Portuguese Association of Textiles and Clothing) are signing a cooperation agreement with the aim of encouraging and supporting the listing of new companies on the Stock Exchange.
The partnership between the Stock Exchange and the ATP is part of a broader strategy to leverage the capital markets in Portugal and consequently encourage new companies to list their shares on NYSE Euronext’s markets. Companies connected to the textiles and clothing sector that are interested in the simplified routes to obtaining financing, diversifying their shareholder structure and trading securitised debt will benefit from this agreement.
Working in collaboration, The ATP will inform its members about the Stock Exchange’s financing options. Once the companies have been selected, and assuming that they meet the requirements for listing on the capital markets, the Stock Exchange will provide guidance and support via a dedicated team of specialist consultants.
"Access to financing, and in particular to capital, are vital factors that Portuguese companies are constantly addressing when trying to overcome the constraints which face them. NYSE Euronext provides a variety of options available through the capital markets, which could and should play a much more important role in the solutions that companies adopt",Luís Laginha de Sousa, CEO of the Portuguese Stock Exchange, affirmed."The Portuguese Stock Exchange remains strongly committed to promoting the development of our capital markets in close cooperation with all the local entities that reflect similar goals to our own", he added.
"The capitalisation of companies is one of the sector's current priorities, with a view to boosting competitiveness all across the globe. In light of the current climate in which it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain bank credit under conditions which they can support, companies must seek alternative means of financing, and the capital markets are becoming an increasingly attractive option that is no longer reserved only for large companies. This agreement may enable some companies operating in the Portuguese fashion industry to gain the muscle power needed to aim higher and target expansion not only on the domestic market but, above all, on the global market, in light of the export potential generally demonstrated by all", said ATP General Director, Paulo Vaz.
This new cooperation agreement constitutes another step forward in the creation of an ecosystem in Portugal that will encourage companies to leverage the capital markets for financing; and follows the launch of the NYSE Euronext Group subsidiary EnterNext in Portugal, which is especially geared towards assisting SMEs obtain financing in this way.
The Portuguese Stock Exchange features three distinct markets (the regulated market, Easynext Lisbon and Alternext) where Portuguese companies can list their shares. Each market has different listing and operating rules.