Dhaka: The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) PLC and Swisscontact organized a workshop titled 'Expanding RMG's Financing Horizons: Opportunities in the Capital Market' at the DSE Training Academy to explore long-term capital market financing for the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event gathered senior officials from leading member institutions of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and key capital market stakeholders. DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar, in her opening remarks, highlighted the capital market's role as a crucial source of long-term financing for economic growth and private sector expansion. She emphasized the necessity to move beyond initial public offerings (IPOs) and equity markets into bond markets, advocating for strategies to bridge the financing gap between the private sector's needs and the capital market's capacity. Anwar also stated that DSE is committed to developing a transparent, business-friendly market by addressing regulatory constraints and meeting entrepreneurs' needs.
Farzana Amin, Team Leader of Swisscontact's PROGRESS project, shared Swisscontact's plan to offer comprehensive support to RMG companies interested in capital market entry, aiming to develop several role-model firms over the next year to foster broader participation. BKMEA Deputy Secretary Md. Harunur Rashid pointed out the heavy reliance of Bangladeshi industrial enterprises on bank loans, which limits expansion, and identified the capital market as a viable alternative for long-term financing to boost growth and job creation, contingent on sustainable business practices by listed companies to maintain investor confidence.
Iftekhar Alam, President of the Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association (BMBA) and CEO of LankaBangla Investments, discussed listing processes, equity capital raising, valuation, and qualification criteria for Main Board IPOs and SME Board Qualified Investor Offers (QIO). Sayeed Mahmud Zubaer, General Manager of DSE's Market Development Division, provided insights on capital market structures, DSE infrastructure, bond markets, direct listing opportunities, and corporate governance benefits.
In the closing session, DSE Chief Technology Officer Dr. Md. Asifur Rahman announced that DSE is providing personalized counseling and advisory services to guide entrepreneurs through the listing process. Bidowra Tahmin Khan, Team Leader of Swisscontact's INSPIRE project, mentioned that Swisscontact will work with DSE, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), and other stakeholders to offer technical and advisory support to promising RMG and textile companies.
The workshop was also attended by Swisscontact Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Syeda Ishrat Fatima and senior representatives from DSE and partner organizations.