Carey Olsen, the offshore law firm, has announced it has become a listing agent of the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange.  The bourse’s rules require that a recognised listing agent sponsor all primary equity listings and investment fund listings.

The move complements Carey Olsen's role in listing debt and equity on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange, it said in a statement yesterday.

"We had planned to apply to become a listing agent of the CSX later this year but client demand motivated us to bring the application forward,” Jason Allison, managing partner of the Cayman Islands office said.

“Equity listings appear to be on the increase due in part to the introduction last year of new rules that make it easier for `specialist companies’ to obtain a listing. Our clients have welcomed the expansion of what we offer to include listing agency services,” he said.