Small investors in the stock market are frustrated as their wait for a good time gets delayed by the Bangladesh’s ongoing political unrest. The political impasse over who should oversee the upcoming national polls is thwarting the stock market’s recovery from Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war. The small investors’ shares are stuck on the floor price (minimum sale rate) and overall economic downfall. This has been painful for many unfortunate small investors of the capital markets, according to market analysts. Policymakers and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) paint a rosy picture for small investors saying that stock markets will rebound with enlistment of new companies and injection of big investments. But the situation for the small investors seems to be hopeless. Read: Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts A large number of shareholders have remained stuck with their investment in the capital market for over a decade amid fading hopes. “No one, not even the regulator or stock market authorities pay heed to their screams,” Abdul Latif, a grocery owner and one of the affected investors, told UNB in a broken voice. He said he invested Tk13 lakh in 2011 to buy shares of different companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). After graduation in 1998 Latif found no suitable job and then started a small business in the Motjheel area in 2002 with support from his father-in-law. He made a good profit in the business and invested money in the share market. In 2010 Latif invested around Tk13 lakh of which 5 lakh was his own and 8 lakh borrowed from relatives. All of his investment was stuck in shares of different companies due to a big scam in the capital market in 2011. Read: Govt aims to collect 11.2% of GDP in taxes by FY 2025-26 Like Latif, thousands of investors lost their hard-earned capital in 2011, and after that, some were able to gain part of the capita. But most of them left the capital market losing nearly all investment. Many of such investors are still in the market hoping for a rebound in the DSE, but without any good news. There is no sign of lifting the floor price before the next election. However, economists say that people do not have confidence in the market. BSEC advises investors to be patient until the general election is held by January next. Dr ABM Mirza Azizul Islam, an economist and a former adviser of a caretaker government, told UNB that there has been a crisis in investors' confidence in the stock market for a long time. “To this are added various economic crises, the international situation, and everything including elections and national politics,” he said. Read: Despite challenges, govt hoping to restore economy’s pre-Covid momentum in current fiscal As a result, first of all, steps should be taken to eliminate the trust crisis. In this case, trust should be ensured by establishing good governance, he said. That is, the investors have to be given the assurance that if someone steals their money through manipulation, they will be prosecuted. Besides, the supply of good shares should be increased. Through these two steps, it is possible to eliminate the market problem. But it is not easy at all, said Dr Azizul Islam. Dr Abu Ahmed, former professor of Dhaka University’s Economics Department, said there are two crises in the market: one on the demand side and the other in investor confidence. On the supply side, the problem is that there are fewer good companies. As a result, it is a win-win situation for manipulation and syndicates, he said. Read: Country’s first electrical testing laboratory on the cards All in all, the stock market is currently in an unstable condition and gradually the situation is getting worse. The passage from here is very difficult, he said. According to market insiders, the stock market situation is in a dire. The situation is not improving due to political uncertainty ahead of national elections, increases in commodity prices, and various international issues. The market has lost its importance to the government as well. For those who are not directly involved with government policymakers, the stock market is a source of irritation. Their thinking is like this - if there is no stock market, there will be no problem in the country. For these reasons, the government wants to hold the market with floor prices until the next national election. This brings an opportunity for syndicates blessed by the regulatory body to be controlling the market, the market insiders said. They spoke on condition of anonymity. BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam told UNB in this regard that the global situation is not in the hands of the regulator or the government. Investors should beware of investing with any company depending on rumours. He also said due to a lack of financial literacy, people are sometimes investing in weak shares with an expectation of big profit which is not the right way of investment. Read: BSEC sits with stock market stakeholders Thursday after drastic fall of share prices

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will sit in a meeting with the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on November 7 to discuss issues including the current status of the capital market and the imposition of floor prices. Bond market development, risk management and control, compliance infrastructure and enforcement measures in the market will also be discussed in the meeting, according to officials involved with the process. Read more: Bangladesh Bank will go slow in calculating reserves following IMF formula BSEC spokesperson Mohammad Rezaul Karim told UNB on Monday that the regulator is making all preparations for the meeting. BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam, Commissioners, and Executive Officers will be present in the meeting, he said. To prevent the ongoing fall in prices, the BSEC floor price system was imposed on the capital market on July 28 this year. Although its market is on the rise, two-thirds of the companies listed in the capital market are currently stuck at the floor price. Investors are not able to buy and sell shares of these companies despite their desire. Read more: Talks for loan with IMF satisfactory, says central bank spokesman As a result, the capital market transactions are continuously decreasing. A delegation of the global lender IMF from Washington arrived in Dhaka on October 26 to discuss a $4.5 billion loan sought by Bangladesh amid dwindling foreign currency reserves.

Product quality and competitive price are driving Walton's export success, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam said. Walton, one of the top electronics products manufacturers of Bangladesh, has a billion-dollar turnover, he added. Read: IBBL Bogura holds agent banking conference The BSEC chairman was addressing the second session of "Investment Flash Mob: Networking Dinner" in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi Thursday. BSEC arranged the flash mob in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to encourage non-resident Bangladeshis and foreign investors to invest in the capital market and other potential sectors of Bangladesh. Walton sponsored programmes.

A weeklong roadshow aimed at promoting investment into Bangladesh concluded in the USA, with Startup Bangladesh Limited unveiling greater opportunities in its Startups and Technology sector. On the final day, local and international delegates joined the “US- Bangladesh Tech Investment Summit” to discuss investment opportunities in Startups and Technology Sector of Bangladesh, the untapped investment goldmine of Asia. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) organized the roadshow titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh’ in the cities of New York, Washington D.C, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California. Started on July 26, the roadshow was held to promote Bangladesh’s economy, investment opportunities and capital markets. The final programme was held on Tuesday in the Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, California. Salman F Rahman, MP, Private Industry & Investment Adviser to Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Lisa M. Gillmor; Mayor, City of Santa Clara, California; and Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam; Chairman of BSEC; were present. Read: Bangladesh seeks US investment for regional power distribution Abdur Rouf Talukdar, Senior Secretary of Finance Division; Tapan Kanti Ghosh Secretary of Ministry of Commerce; Fatima Yasmin Secretary of Economic Relations Division; Md Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of BIDA and Executive Chairman of BEPZA; and Tina Jabeen, Managing Director and CEO of Startup Bangladesh Limited; also attended it. A panel discussion was also held with prominent guests of Silicon Valley on potentials of trade & investment in Bangladesh. It was moderated by Shameem Ahsan, President, VCPEAB. Anis Uzzaman, Founder & CEO of Pegasus Tech Ventures; and Tina Jabeen, Managing Director and CEO of Startup Bangladesh Limited; delivered the keynote speeches. The programme kicked off by Prof. Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman of BSEC. Tina Jabeen, in her keynote speech, upheld the Bangladesh Story - the story of consistent growth spearheaded by the current government led by the visionary Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the impetus behind the growth journey; Bangladesh’s perspective plan 2021-2041, said a media release on Wednesday. Read: Bangladesh will continue to attract foreign investments, defying downturn: US She exemplified the successful stories of homegrown startups, how they are already attracting international investors validating that Bangladesh is ready to be the next breeding ground of unicorn in Asia. Tina Jabeen at the end of her Keynote speech played a video message from Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn where he said that “Great innovative leaders understand that technology is the future and this is how startups are created in silicon valley with global relevance and global scale. It's a rare thing but when it happens that's the sign and innovative leadership I applaud for.” Salman F Rahman urged Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and expatriates to avail of the opportunities presented by the nation.

Bangladesh showcased the potential of its capital market and trade and investment opportunities in the country to the US investors.  Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) organized a ‘Stakeholders’ Meeting’ in the US capital, Washington, DC, recently to showcase opportunities to the US investors. The meeting was part of BSEC’s ongoing Roadshow titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment in Bangladesh’ being held in Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, said the US Embassy in Dhaka on Friday.  Also read: Bangladesh seeks US partnership in vaccine production  A high-level delegation, led by PM’s Adviser for Private Industry and Investment to the Salman Fazlur Rahman, participated in discussion and exchanged views with the stakeholders in a lively interactive session.  Finance Division Senior Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, ERD Secretary Fatima Yasmin, BIDA Executive Chairman Sirajul Islam, BSEC Chairman Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam were, among others, in the discussion panel.  Adviser Rahman highlighted Bangladesh economy’s strong resilience even during the Covid-19 pandemic while the BSEC Chairman presented the recent developments in Bangladesh’s capital market and economy.  The discussants also showcased the robust economic growth and investment potentials in Bangladesh.  Also read: Bangladesh will continue to attract foreign investments, defying downturn: US They also welcomed suggestions and recommendations from the participating stakeholders regarding promoting trade and investment in Bangladesh and its facilitation to foreign investors.  The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by the prominent members of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), foreign investors, representatives of development partners, and the US federal entities. Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, provided necessary assistance to BSEC and the organizers for successful organization of the meeting. 

The capital market will continue its operation in the interest of investors in any situation during the Covid-19 pandemic if the banking activities continue. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) said this against the backdrop of the government’s preparation for imposing full lockdown from April 14 next. A notice posted on the official website of the BSEC said: "[The] capital market will continue operation at [in] the interest of investors in any situation during the pandemic of Covid-19 if the banking activities continue."   Also read: Stock market reforms to fail if rumours rule the roost: Minister  It said all the transactions in the capital market will continue in the interest of investors and urged the investors not to pay heed to any rumor. According to sources at the BSEC, if the banks remain open during the lockdown, the capital market will also remain open. This instruction has been given to two stock exchanges -- Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). Also read: BSEC to help boost startup, venture capital ecosystem: Chairman They said the commission has instructed the DSE to keep the capital market open if banks are open. The capital market will operate utilising smaller shifts and work-from-home facilities. Earlier, from March 26 to May 31 last year, transactions in the capital market were closed due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Insider trading: BSEC probes Dominage Steel for 'unusual' stock movement

The capital markets will follow the banking sector's lead in operation during the pandemic of Covid-19. This was informed by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) against the backdrop of different rumors since news broke of the lockdown to be imposed by the government from Monday next. A notice posted on the official website of the BSEC said: "Capital market will continue operation at the interest of investors in any situation during the pandemic of Covid-19 if the banking activities continue." It said all transactions in the capital market will continue in the interest of investors. Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader It urged the investors to pay no heed to any sort of rumors. According to BSEC sources, if the bank is open in lockdown, the capital market will also be open. This instruction has been given to two stock exchanges (Dhaka and Chittagong). Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths They said, the commission has instructed DSE to keep the capital market open if banks are open. The capital market will operate utilising smaller shifts and work-from-home facilities. Earlier, from March 26 to May 31 last year, transactions in the capital market were closed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Markets regulator Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is going all out to curb insider trading in the country's bourses.

Robi Axiata Limited, the country’s leading digital service provider, is going to hit the trading floors in Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges on December 24.

Robi Axiata Limited, the second largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, has been given greenlight for stock market launch with the biggest initial public offerings (IPO) in the country’s history.