The newly introduced Private Investor (PI) category will now allow general investors, registered institutions and funds to invest in privately offered bonds, open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETF) and equities approved by the fund's regulatory authority, officials said at a workshop on Monday.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) organised the awareness workshop on the addition of the PI category to its Electronic Subscription System (ESS) through the Zoom platform, where representatives from merchant banks, asset management companies (AMC), TREC holders and other related institutions took part.

Speakers at the workshop said the ESS platform has so far allowed only Eligible Investor (EI) and Qualified Investor (QI) category investors to participate in primary investment opportunities.

Any individual, registered institution or fund will now be able to register under the PI category, according to the DSE.

For individual investors, only a National Identity (NID) card and a bank account will be mandatory, while institutions or funds will need a registration certificate and a bank account. No registration fee will be applicable for PI registration, the DSE said.

The workshop covered the registration and subscription process of the ESS, the required information and documentation, and various aspects of using the digital platform.

Speakers said the initiative will expand alternative investment opportunities for general investors beyond equities and will play a significant role in building a digital and transparent investment environment.

They added that the move will also create scope for introducing diverse financial products in the capital market.