Dhaka: The Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB) successfully organized a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme today at the BIM Auditorium, Dhaka, focusing on the Proposed BSEC Corporate Governance Rules 2026. The event brought together regulators, corporate leaders, governance professionals, and company secretaries to discuss the latest developments in corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programme was attended by the Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Masud Khan, who served as the chief guest. He emphasized the significance of the updated Corporate Governance Rules 2026 in enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable corporate practices across Bangladesh's capital market. Khan highlighted the crucial role of governance professionals in implementing the new regulatory framework effectively and boosting investor confidence.
The President of the Bangladesh Public Listed Companies Association (BPLCA), Riad Mahmud, participated as a special guest. In his remarks, he stressed the importance of collaboration among regulators, listed companies, and governance professionals to facilitate the effective implementation of the new governance requirements and to strengthen the corporate sector in Bangladesh, according to a press release.
Mohammad Sanaullah, past president of ICSB and CEO of Mohammad Sanaullah and Associates, presented the keynote paper. He provided an extensive overview of the BSEC Corporate Governance Rules 2026, detailing major changes and their implications for listed companies. Sanaullah highlighted the enhanced responsibilities of boards of directors, audit committees, independent directors, and company secretaries, and shared insights on aligning corporate governance practices with international standards.
The technical session featured a distinguished panel including Md. Rafiqul Islam, DMD and Company Secretary of Walton, Mahbubur Rahman, company secretary of BRAC Bank PLC, and Lopa Rahman, corporate governance officer of the International Finance Corporation (IFC). They shared practical experiences and expert perspectives on implementing the new rules, addressing compliance challenges, governance best practices, and the evolving role of company secretaries in fostering investor confidence and ethical practices.
The session was chaired by the President of ICSB, Hossain Sadat, who reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to promoting professional excellence through continuous learning and capacity-building initiatives. He noted that the CPD program reflects ICSB's ongoing efforts to equip governance professionals with the necessary knowledge and competencies to navigate the evolving regulatory environment.
During the interactive question-and-answer session, participants engaged with the speakers on the practical aspects of implementing the Proposed BSEC Corporate Governance Rules 2026. The CPD programme was well-attended by chartered/company secretaries, directors, corporate executives, governance professionals, CS practitioners, and regulators, demonstrating a shared commitment to enhancing corporate governance standards and sustainable business practices in Bangladesh.
The event was moderated by Dr. Mir Shariful Bashar, a fellow member of ICSB. Israt Jahan Rimi, a member of the Professional Development Committee of ICSB, concluded the session with a vote of thanks to the chief guest, special guest, keynote speaker, discussants, members of ICSB, and all participants.