Dhaka: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in professional development through joint expertise and resources. The agreement was formalized by ICAB Chief Operating Officer Shubhashish Bose and ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem in the presence of ICAB President NKA Mobin FCA and ERF President Doulot Akter Mala during an event at the ERF office in the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the signing ceremony coincided with the inauguration of the ERF Institute and a seminar focused on 'Financial Transparency in the Corporate Sector.' The institute was inaugurated by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, with Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Chairman Dr. Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan attending as a special guest.
Under the terms of the agreement, ICAB and ERF will collaborate on a range of initiatives including education, training, workshops, research, roundtables, and dialogues on economic matters. The MoU establishes a framework for managing professional training and facilitating knowledge-sharing initiatives.
ICAB President Mobin stressed the importance of transparency, noting that foreign investors prioritize a country's corporate governance framework before investing. He emphasized ICAB's Document Verification System (DVS) as a tool for strengthening financial discipline. "If properly applied, the DVS will enhance the country's financial ecosystem," Mobin stated.
He further added that transparency is not only a legal requirement but also crucial for sustainable growth, stability, and attracting foreign investment.