West Asia Conflict Disrupts Global Energy Supply: SEBI Chief
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Tuhin Kanta Pandey, remarked on Monday that the escalating unrest in West Asia is causing disruptions in global energy flows, leading to increased pressure on oil and gas supplies and resulting in significant price fluctuations.
During his speech at the 19th CII Corporate Governance Summit, he warned that the ongoing strife could have extensive repercussions for the global economy.
Pandey pointed out that this current crisis adds to a series of shocks that businesses and regulators have faced in recent years, including the Covid-19 pandemic and rapid technological changes like artificial intelligence (AI), which have challenged institutional resilience.
He emphasized that the regulatory framework has been evolving thoughtfully, enhancing disclosure norms through periodic and event-driven requirements, establishing clear materiality thresholds and timelines, and improving board independence and oversight.
Pandey noted that accountability mechanisms such as secretarial audits and a more prominent role for compliance officers have strengthened governance standards.
On the topic of corporate governance, he asserted that the focus should now transition from mere board composition to the quality of boardroom engagement and decision-making.
The SEBI Chairman highlighted the vital role of independent directors and called for ongoing capacity building through structured learning and robust knowledge frameworks.
He also advocated for a movement from periodic reviews to continuous oversight, stating that enhancing institutional capability is essential for better governance outcomes.
In the meantime, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee mentioned that both the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have reacted promptly to the changing circumstances, aiding in stabilizing market sentiment.
However, he acknowledged that supply-side challenges in energy, logistics, and trade remain, with sectors such as MSMEs, exporters, and energy-intensive industries still experiencing operational and financial difficulties.
Banerjee suggested that future policy responses may need to concentrate on targeted liquidity support, credit facilitation, and measures to maintain foreign exchange stability.