Dhaka: Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today informed Parliament that the government has a specific plan to develop the country’s stock market and make it vibrant and dynamic as a long-term source of financing. Replying to a starred tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Mohammad Fakhrul Islam (Noakhali-5), he said the government is firmly committed to strengthening the capital market and transforming it into a sustainable and long-term financing hub.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has been working relentlessly to achieve this goal. The finance minister highlighted that the government recognizes the critical role of the capital market in economic development and has integrated specific commitments to enhance the sector within its election manifesto.
The minister emphasized that investors’ confidence is integral to capital market development. Hence, the government has initiated measures to ensure good governance, transparency, accountability, diversification of financial products, and the expansion of investment education to establish a sustainable capital market.
The government has initiated several actions to enhance market depth. These include forming a robust bond market to position the capital market as a major source of long-term financing, listing fundamentally strong companies in the stock market, and listing unlisted state-owned enterprises. Steps are also being taken to introduce Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), Sukuk (Islamic bonds), and green bonds, along with ensuring governance in mutual funds to attract general investors and introducing commodity and financial derivatives.
To maintain transparency and discipline, the government is working to prevent irregularities and market manipulation, strengthen investigation and enforcement activities, modernize and digitize the capital market, facilitate easy market access domestically and internationally, protect whistleblowers, and ensure corporate governance.
The finance minister revealed that a draft of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 2025 is under review, aiming to merge the Securities and Exchange Ordinance, 1969 and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 1993. Additionally, a draft of the Capital Market Stabilization Fund Act, 2026 is under review to ensure the proper management and settlement of undistributed dividends, IPO funds, and unclaimed shares. New rules are being formulated for whistleblower protection, corporate governance rules 2026, amendments to Debt Securities Rules 2021 to include sustainable bonds, and the enlistment of panel auditors and audit firms.
To promote investment education and awareness, the government is planning to include investment education in school, college, and university curricula, organize nationwide training for young entrepreneurs, and involve district and upazila administrations in awareness programs. District commissioners, divisional commissioners, and upazila executive officers are engaged in awareness activities, while district information offices are expanding public awareness campaigns. Under the ‘Safe Investment, Aware Citizen’ programme, grassroots training and campaigns are conducted. Investment-related content and videos are regularly uploaded on BSEC’s website, Facebook, and YouTube channels. Bangladesh Television has initiated a fortnightly investment education programme titled ‘Pujibazarer Jana-Ajana,’ and the activities continue.