The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has emphasized that listing on the capital market is not merely a financial milestone but a strategic commitment to corporate governance, transparency, and long-term sustainable growth.
Officials and market experts shared these insights during a seminar titled “Next Step to Growth: Journey Towards Listing – Strategies for Enhancing Growth, Governance, and Credibility,” held on Wednesday at the DSE Training Academy in Nikunja. The event brought together representatives from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), DSE, and various unlisted companies.
The New IPO Rules 2025: A Catalyst for Confidence
A central theme of the seminar was the Public Offer of Equity Securities Rules, 2025. Speakers highlighted how this new regulatory framework is designed to streamline the entry of high-quality companies into the market.
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Strategic Growth: Md. Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, Acting Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) of DSE, stated that the new rules prioritize governance as a prerequisite for listing.
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Market Discipline: By strengthening due diligence and post-listing accountability, the framework aims to ensure fair pricing and robust investor protection.
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Efficiency: BSEC Additional Director Sheikh Md. Lutful Kabir explained that the reforms in book-building and underwriting processes would make the IPO journey more transparent and market-friendly.
The Roadmap to Listing
Experts from UCB Investment Limited, led by Managing Director and CEO Tanzim Alamgir, presented a detailed guide on the Onboarding Process for Prospective Issuers. The roadmap identifies three critical phases for a successful IPO:
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Strategic Planning: Aligning business goals with market requirements.
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IPO Preparation: Ensuring financial and legal compliance.
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Transaction Execution: Navigating the final steps of going public.
Diversifying Capital Market Opportunities
Sayeed Mahmood Zubayer, Head of Product and Market Development at DSE, provided a broader overview of the market’s evolving landscape. Key highlights included:
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Product Variety: Emphasis on expanding the market through Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and debt-based financing.
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SME Support: The Qualified Investor Offer (QIO) framework remains a vital gateway for small-cap and startup companies to raise capital.
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Digital Integration: The use of the Alternative Trading Board (ATB) for cost-effective share transfers and modern trading systems to create an investor-friendly environment.
A Strong Positive Signal
Concluding the seminar, DSE Chief Technology Officer Dr. Md. Asifur Rahman noted that the new rules were developed through extensive collaboration between BSEC, DSE, and CSE.
“Specific timelines have been set for the IPO process, which is a major advancement. Our systems are ready to handle these tasks within the stipulated time, sending a strong positive signal to the market,” said Dr. Rahman.
He added that while the new regulations introduce certain responsibilities, they are essential for building a mature, effectively regulated, and credible stock market.
