Dhaka: The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has encouraged companies interested in raising capital from the country's capital market to apply for initial public offering (IPO) under the existing rules without waiting for any possible future amendments. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in a press release issued today, the securities regulator stated that companies currently interested in raising funds through IPO may apply in accordance with the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Public Offer of Equity Securities) Rules, 2025. There is no need for applicants or prospective applicants to suspend or delay the process due to any possible future amendment or change to the rules. If any amendment, change, or relaxation is subsequently made to the IPO-related rules, necessary facilities will be provided to the companies concerned in light of the revised provisions, the BSEC said. The commission also highlighted the scope for direct listing for established companies that do not require fresh capital for business expansion or operations but whose existing shareholders are interested in having their shares listed on the stock market. To facilitate this, the BSEC has prepared a draft of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Direct Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange) Rules, 2026 and published it for public comments. The commission's official website also lists the draft rules, with September 15, 2026, set as the deadline for submitting comments. Under the proposed direct-listing framework, eligible companies would be able to apply for listing without raising new capital from the public. This would create opportunities for existing shareholders to sell their shares through the stock exchange and bring new and viable companies into the capital market. The BSEC said the proposed framework would help increase the participation of new and capable companies, create opportunities for existing shareholders to realize the value of their shareholdings, and contribute to deepening and expanding the country's capital market. The commission said it would continue necessary policy and regulatory reforms to develop a deeper, diversified, transparent, and efficient capital market through increased participation of sound and capable companies.
