"This, of course, started with mining and mining exploration companies in Victoria," ASX listings business development senior manager Eddie Grieve told the IMARC conference in Melbourne.

Another unique selling point not to be ignored was the fact the ASX had access to the world’s third largest pool of investable funds as a result of the Australian government deposit guarantee.

"By free float market capitalisation, the ASX ranks second in Asia and eighth in the world," Grieve said.

"Year to date we are tracking well and we believe after a number of significant floats still coming up, we will probably have the best year in 13 years in terms of capital raised."

The ASX is very strongly represented in terms of the financial sector, being the largest single category by market capitalisation, with resources being number two at 20% of total market capitalisation.

More than 50% of the total number of companies listed on the ASX are also from the resources sector, however, a significant number of those have market capitalisations of $ 10 million or less.

"The ASX has been the leading exchange for companies with projects in Africa, with 208 companies raising $5.5 billion since 2009."

Latin America perhaps represents the next significant opportunity for the ASX, if it can capture the listings and capital raisings of Australian companies looking to operate in that jurisdiction – but there is strong competition in this market from the North American exchanges.