Finmin pledges vibrant capital market thru' coordinated reforms

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to revitalise Bangladesh's capital market, underscoring the government's firm commitment to building a vibrant, dynamic and sustainable financial ecosystem to support long-term economic growth.

Speaking in parliament today in response to a query from Noakhali-5 lawmaker Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, the minister said the government has already incorporated specific commitments for capital market development in its election manifesto. 

He underscored that a strong and efficient capital market is critical for economic expansion and long-term financing, adding that coordinated reforms led by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission are underway to achieve these objectives.

Restoring investor confidence remains central to the reform strategy, he said, with measures focused on strengthening governance, ensuring transparency and accountability, diversifying financial products, and expanding market depth. Measures are also being taken to scale up investment education nationwide.

A key priority is positioning the capital market as a major source of long-term financing. This includes efforts to develop a robust bond market, encourage fundamentally strong companies to get listed, and bring state-owned enterprises into the stock market.

The government is also planning to introduce modern financial instruments such as exchange-traded funds, sukuk (Islamic bonds), and green bonds, while improving governance in mutual funds to attract broader investor participation. Initiatives to launch commodity and financial derivatives are also in the pipeline to enhance market sophistication.

To improve market discipline, the minister said, authorities are stepping up efforts to curb irregularities and manipulation by strengthening investigation and enforcement, accelerating digital transformation, and easing market access for both local and foreign investors. Measures to protect whistleblowers and reinforce corporate governance across listed firms are also being prioritised. Strengthening corporate governance across listed companies is another key pillar of the reform agenda.

Legal reforms are progressing alongside these initiatives. The government is reviewing a draft Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act, 2025, aimed at consolidating existing laws to boost regulatory efficiency and investor protection.

A draft Capital Market Stabilisation Fund Act, 2026 is also under consideration to ensure proper management of unclaimed dividends, rights shares and IPO proceeds. New whistleblower protection rules and an updated corporate governance framework are in the works to replace the 2018 code and strengthen accountability.

Planned amendments to debt securities rules will incorporate sustainable instruments such as green, blue, orange and social bonds, reflecting a growing focus on environmentally and socially responsible financing.

The minister also highlighted efforts to expand investment education, including integrating it into school, college and university curricula, and organising nationwide training programmes for young entrepreneurs. Awareness campaigns are being rolled out at district and upazila levels, supported by digital platforms and a dedicated programme on Bangladesh Television to enhance public understanding of the capital market.