Over the Counter Exchange of India (OTCEI) was incorporated in 1990 under the Companies Act, 1956 and was recognised as a stock exchange under the Securities Contracts Regulation Act, 1956. It commenced operations in the year 1992. It aims at providing the small and medium companies an easy access to the capital market. OTCEI is a fully computerised and single window exchange system. OTCEI is modelled along the lines of NASDAQ, the OTC exchange in USA. OTC was promoted by UTI, ICICI, IDBI, LIC, IFCI, GIC and SBI financial services. It does not involve a geographical area rather, trading takes place through its counters or offices through telephones and other modes of communication. It acts as a place where buyers meet the sellers and negotiate for an acceptable terms of trade. It provides a convenient, transparent and efficient avenue for capital market investment. It incorporates an exclusive list of companies as only those companies which have an issued capital of 30 lakh or more can be listed on OTCEI. It provides liquidity to the securities along with practicing a fair trade system. It also aims at providing cheaper and easy means of trade to public as well as small companies.
