The new website boasts a real-time stock ticker, the latest market information, among other things which, according to Roy Johnson, executive director at the JSE.  He said that this will also ensure people will want to revisit the site because of the interactivity tools which are provided.

"The success of a website depends both on the attractiveness ... and the quality of information it provides," he said.  "Interactive tools, market commentary, chatrooms, bulletin boards to post stories, real time quotes and offer a range of transactions, they can encourage viewers to return"

The launch occurred at the Talk of the Town ballroom, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston recently.

In her opening address, Yvonne Nicholson, assistant general manager (JSE), remarked that the project for the new site was intended to better reflect the needs of investors.  She said, "we had to develop a website that better reflects and meets the needs of investors and makes it easier for the companies to provide the information that investors need to be able to properly price their securities."

Hence, the real time stock quotes and the greater disclosure of information, which will assist analysts in their projections.

"In fact we have reached the stage where analysts are of the view that segment reporting should enable them to see how the company is managed," stated Mr. Johnson.

Responding to questions as to when online trading by investors will be introduced, the Executive Director stated that in electronic markets, technological glitches, such as the failure to process orders or the delays experienced in the execution of those orders, as well as errors in processing orders suggest that the process is not as smooth as it is claimed to be.

He then sought to assure investors, stating that it might become a reality if they are able to minimise these issues.

Guest speaker, Herman Athias, CEO of MC systems and President of the Jamaica Computer Society (JCS), lauded the JSE for the improvements made to the website, describing them as "fantastic".  He said they were driving technology rather than being driven by it, a common problem committed by businesses.

Mr. Athias also used the medium to advocate alterations to Jamaican regulations regarding the authorisation of electronic signatures.  He said that making these acceptable presents the opportunity for us to become world leaders in technology.

He further encouraged the JSE to take advantage of the opportunities available to them through this technology.  Opportunities he highlighted included, file sharing which can lead to significant cost savings.

During the one month of full operations by the website, it has experienced 200,000 hits, and according the executive director, the presence of the real time stock ticker is the main cause of this.

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