Securities and Exchange Board of India ( SEBI) is planning to launch a new platform for people willing to invest in SMEs. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Monday, SEBI’s Executive Director S Ramann said the proposed platform can be a part of SME exchanges in which informed investors can put their money.

He, however, declined to give any time frame for the launch of this platform. Informing that bank funding remains the predominant source of financing for this sector, Ramann stressed on the need for finding new and innovative sources of financing.

Earlier, in this year’s Budget, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said SMEs, including start-ups, will be permitted to list on SME exchanges without being required to make an initial public offer, but the issue will be restricted to informed investors.