BSE inks MoU with ESC to encourage listing of startups

New Delhi Leading stock exchange BSE on Tuesday said it has joined hands with Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) to create awareness about the benefits of listing among small businesses and startups.

In this regard, BSE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ESC, the exchange said in a statement. Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) is an organisation sponsored by the Government of India with a mandate to promote the export of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector from the country and works as a bridge between the government and the industry on policy and promotional matters.

With a strong membership of over 2,300 ICT exporters covering the entire gamut of the electronics and IT industry in the areas like consumer electronics, components, instrumentation, telecommunications, computer hardware as well as software and IT-enabled services. Through this pact, ESC will utilise its pan India network of electronics and IT exporters and evaluate the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups amongst these for listing on the BSE SME and startup platform, the bourse said in a statement.

Also, ESC will assist in sensitising its investor network for investing in SMEs listed on the BSE SME platform. Besides, as a joint effort, the two organisations will collectively host joint roadshows and events across India to create awareness and promote the listing of SMEs and startups, the exchange said. "This MoU will help us in reaching out to ESC's pan India network of Electronics and IT exporters and create greater awareness amongst the SMEs and startups about benefits of listing on the BSE SME & Startup platform," Ajay Thakur, Head of BSE SME and startup, said.

Considering the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it will further encourage more and more SMEs and startups to list and raise equity capital on the exchange to expand and grow their business, he added.