Riga Stock Exchange                                                                 30.05.2005



SAXESS trading platform successfully launched at Vilnius Stock Exchange

Vilnius Stock Exchange (VSE), one of six exchanges within OMX Exchanges, today successfully 

launched the common Nordic trading platform SAXESS™ for trading on the cash markets. SAXESS is 

already in use at the stock exchanges in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga and Tallinn (all 

exchanges owned by OMX) as well as the stock exchanges in Oslo and Iceland. The launch of SAXESS 

in Vilnius is another milestone in creation of a truly integrated Nordic and Baltic securities market. 



The final step of implementing Vilnius to the SAXESS platform is an important part of the harmonization 

of all the cash markets in the region. It provides customer benefits, such as harmonized Nordic and 

Baltic trading rules as well as one access point to eight different markets. The trading platform SAXESS 

and the common NOREX Member Rules are now in use in all the Nordic and Baltic marketplaces: Copenhagen, 

Oslo, Iceland, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. 



"The implementation of SAXESS in Vilnius supports our strategy and vision. Thanks to our extensive 

experience in both the technology and exchange business, we have taken an important step in this successful 

harmonization of cash markets in the Nordic and Baltic region in a short period of time," said Magnus Böcker, 

President and CEO of OMX, expressing appreciation for the efforts of all market participants.



OMX’s creation of a Nordic and Baltic marketplace is done in parallel Baltic and Nordic steps. With VSE joining 

the same trading platform, a concept of a joint Baltic market has been realized to its full potential. The 

Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius stock exchanges form a joint Baltic market to simplify access and minimize investment 

barriers. The joint Baltic market has a common list of Baltic securities, a common index BALTIX and harmonized 

listing, trading and disclosure rules. The joint Baltic market also offers easier access to statistical 

information through a single source on the joint market data-web. Cross-border Delivery versus Payment, DVP, 

link now connects the Baltic central securities depositories. All these improvements broaden opportunities for 

investors and raise visibility of the Baltic markets among foreign investors.



“Now the Baltic markets can be viewed as a single investment area - the differences between Estonian, Latvian 

and Lithuanian markets have been minimized and a number of barriers lifted for the benefit of investors, stock 

exchange members, listed companies and market data vendors,” said the President of OMX Exchanges' Baltic Markets, 

Johan Rudén. 



„A shared trading platform and infrastructure open new markets for Lithuanian market participants,“ said Chairman 

of the Board of the Vilnius Stock Exchange Dalia Jasulaityte. „The integrated Lithuanian securities market will be 

more visible and attractive to foreign investors,“ – added D. Jasulaityte.

As of launch day, 5 cross members join the VSE. The VSE Board’s decision enters into force today, giving SEB 

Latvijas Unibanka (Latvia), SEB Eesti Uhispank (Estonia), Lohmus, Haavel & Viisemann (Estonia), Suprema Securities 

Estonia), and Fischer Partners Fondkommission AB (Sweden) membership of the VSE, whereas Finasta has been approved 

and SEB Vilniaus Bankas has filed the application for membership in Tallinn and Riga stock exchanges.



Through the single access point to the common trading platform, OMX Exchanges now offers access to approximately 80 

percent of the Nordic and Baltic equity market. OMX Exchanges offers services to 677 listed companies and 144 

trading members. The total market value of all listed companies amounts to EUR 601 billion.







For more information or comments, contact:



Diana Sokolova, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, 

OMX Exchanges/Vilnius Stock Exchange	                                                +370 5 272 1371



Inese Purgaile, Corporate Communications Specialist 

OMX Exchanges/ Riga Stock Exchange							+371 7212431



Tex Vertmann, Communications Manager 

OMX Exchanges/ Tallinn Stock Exchange						+372 640 8862