Dhaka:The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is set to introduce licensed agents to promote mutual funds, aiming to boost retail investor participation in the capital market, as announced by its Chairman Masud Khan during "World Investor Week 2026" at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Tower.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the BSEC is also planning to reform the initial public offering (IPO) policy, create rules for direct listing, and introduce new investment products. The draft of the revised IPO policy is expected to be published soon for public feedback.
The event was jointly organized by the DSE and the DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA), where Masud Khan highlighted several ongoing initiatives to strengthen the capital market, including the promotion of open-end mutual funds and new investment products.
Plans to introduce licensed mutual fund agents involve short-term training and certification through the Bangladesh Institute of Capital Market (BICM). This approach is expected to offer more investment opportunities to general investors, shifting focus from direct share purchases to professionally managed mutual funds.
Citing India's example, the BSEC chairman noted the significant role licensed mutual fund agents play in their market and expressed hopes for similar public participation growth in Bangladesh.
The IPO policy reform aims to streamline the listing process for new companies and make it more investor-friendly. Stakeholder opinions will be solicited once the draft is published.
Masud Khan emphasized the importance of thorough review of financial statements and fundamentals for investors considering IPOs and warned against relying on promises of excessive profits or unverified information.
He called for a collaborative effort among regulators, stock exchanges, the media, and investors to maintain transparency and confidence in the market. The development of mutual funds, introduction of new investment products, and listing process reforms are seen as crucial steps toward making the capital market more effective and sustainable.
The BSEC chairman concluded that these initiatives would enhance professional investment management for investors and improve the entry process for new companies in the market.